Appointment of New CCJ JUDGE a Signal of Confidence in Regional Leadership

Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr. Carla Barnett, says the appointment of the Hon. Mr. Justice Winston Anderson as President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) reflects the trust and confidence of the region in its own leadership.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony held at Jewel Grande Resort in Montego Bay, St. James, on Sunday (July 6), Dr. Barnett noted that Justice Anderson is the first Jamaican and the youngest person to assume the office since the court was established in 2005.

“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. It is a role that calls for wisdom in judgment, integrity in conduct, and leadership in times of challenge and change,” she pointed out.

Dr. Barnett said that Justice Anderson takes office at a time when global dynamics demand resilience and clarity in legal interpretation.

“This leadership will be crucial as we navigate complex legal issues in an era defined by technological change, social transformation, and global interconnectedness,” she noted.

In his response, Justice Anderson reflected on his appointment and expressed profound gratitude and a deep sense of honour at being chosen to lead the CCJ.

“I am deeply honoured and humbled to be entrusted with the presidency of the Caribbean Court of Justice. This responsibility carries immense significance, and I am committed to upholding the highest standards of justice and integrity as I serve this vital institution,” he noted.

“I am grateful to my family, especially my children, whose support and encouragement have been a constant source of strength throughout my career. Their belief in me has made this journey possible,” Justice Anderson said.

The new CCJ President, who hails from rural St. Ann, holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with First-Class Honours from the University of the West Indies (1983), and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in International and Environmental Law from the University of Cambridge (1988). He was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1988 and to the Bar of Barbados in 1989.

A former lecturer, Deputy Dean, and Head of the Teaching Department at the UWI Faculty of Law, Justice Anderson also served as General Counsel at the CARICOM Secretariat from 2003 to 2006.

He was appointed as a judge of the CCJ in 2010 and has played a significant role in advancing judicial policy, legal education, and institutional development through his leadership of the CCJ Academy for Law and the court’s Strategic Plan Committee.

He now becomes the fourth President of the CCJ, succeeding the Hon. Mr. Justice Adrian Saunders of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who retired on July 3, after serving as President from 2018.

Justice Saunders was part of the CCJ’s inaugural bench in 2005 and holds the distinction of being the court’s longest-serving judge.

He is widely recognised for his judicial scholarship and transformational leadership during his seven-year presidency, which strengthened the court’s strategic direction, regional outreach, and digital modernisation.