CARICOM Secretary-General describes new CCJ president as exceptional regional jurist

Dr Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), has described the appointment of Justice Winston Anderson, who is Jamaican, as President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as the natural and distinguished next chapter in the life of an exceptional regional jurist.

Speaking at the swearing-in held earlier today as part of the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM at the Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa in Montego Bay, St James, Barnett noted that Anderson's elevation comes at a critical juncture for Caribbean jurisprudence, marked by global shifts and technological transformation.

“Today's ceremony marks the logical next step in the professional trajectory of this extraordinary regional jurist,” Barnett declared.

“The Office of the President carries not only the highest responsibility for the judicial system but also embodies the trust and confidence of the people.”

The CARICOM Secretary-General underscored that the presidency of the CCJ is not only about presiding over judgments but also about setting the moral and institutional tone for the court during times of great change.

“It is a role that calls for wisdom in judgement, integrity in conduct, and leadership in times of challenge and change. This leadership will be crucial as we navigate complex legal issues in an era defined by technological change, social transformation, and global interconnectedness.”

In extending congratulations on behalf of the entire Caribbean Community, Barnett invoked a well-known Jamaican saying in tribute to Anderson's decades of legal scholarship and service.

“We are reminded by the wise Jamaican proverb that the older the moon, the brighter it shines. We are therefore confident that the wealth of experience you bring to your presidency… is in knowledgeable and capable hands.”

Justice Anderson, a Jamaican, succeeds Justice Adrian Saunders and becomes the third person to hold the office since the establishment of the CCJ.
The court was established under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and serves both as an international court interpreting the treaty and as the final court of appeal for member states that have acceded to its appellate jurisdiction.

Barnett concluded her remarks with a wish for a successful tenure: “I wish you the very best for your presidency. The region is proud of you.”

For his part, Jamaica's Governor-General, Sir Patrick Linton Allen, who administered the oath of office to Anderson, praised the new CCJ President.

“I am humbled once again to administer the oath as he ascends to the highest office of the very institution he has helped to strengthen over the past 15 years,” the Governor-General said in a dignified address that acknowledged the significance of the moment for Jamaica and the Caribbean.

The event marked a historic return for Sir Patrick, who previously conducted the 2018 swearing-in of outgoing President Justice Adrian Saunders, also in Montego Bay.

In saluting the outgoing president, Sir Patrick praised Saunders' transformative tenure.

“Justice Saunders has carried out the responsibilities of his office with wisdom and humility, and with an unwavering commitment to judicial excellence. Under his leadership, the Court has solidified its role in regional integration, elevated the quality of legal discourse, and built enduring trust across the Caribbean,” Allen said.

Then, turning to the man now at the helm, the Governor-General offered effusive praise for Justice Anderson's scholarly legacy and Caribbean-rooted leadership.

“Justice Anderson now assumes this mantle at a time that presents both great opportunities and immense responsibility for the Court and the region,” he declared.

“He brings to this office a distinguished record of scholarship, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the ideals of justice... A proud son of Jamaica and the Caribbean, he embodies what is possible when our institutions invest in leadership—leadership that is rooted in principle and dedicated to purpose.”

Sir Patrick described the appointment not only as a personal milestone for Justice Anderson but as a collective victory for the region.

“His appointment is not only a personal triumph, but also a resounding testament to our regional confidence in our own talents and values, as well as our ability to lead on the world stage,” he said.

In closing, the Governor-General offered a solemn blessing for the new President of the CCJ:

“Justice Anderson, I offer you my congratulations. May you be granted strength, discernment, and continued success as you assume this sacred trust. May the Caribbean Court of Justice continue to flourish under your leadership, and may our Caribbean family grow ever stronger in our pursuit of justice, equity, and unity.”

Anderson now begins his tenure at a critical time in Caribbean jurisprudence, bringing with him a legacy of legal scholarship, environmental law expertise, and a deep commitment to Caribbean advancement.

- Albert Ferguson

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