New President Sworn in at the CCJ

On Sunday, 6 July 2025, the Honourable Mr Justice Winston Anderson was sworn-in as the fourth President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in Montego Bay, Jamaica by His Excellency, the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, ON, GCMG, CD, KSt.J, Governor-General of Jamaica. The ceremony was held ahead of the Opening of the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and was attended by the Secretary-General of CARICOM, CARICOM Heads of Government, regional Heads of Judiciaries, Government Ministers, and former CCJ Presidents.

In his remarks, President Anderson, a national of Jamaica and the first Jamaican to be appointed to the CCJ bench, noted, ‘As I assume the office of President of the Court, I do so not in isolation, but as part of a broader regional movement of national judiciaries dedicated to delivering accessible justice, ensuring respect for and advancing the rule of law, protecting and promoting human rights, and supporting sustainable development in our countries.’

President Anderson was appointed a Judge of the Court in 2010. Prior to joining the Court, he served as a lecturer at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Cave Hill from 1988 until 2003. During his tenure he served as Deputy Dean, Head of the Teaching Department of Law, and UWI Senior Lecturer in Law. He has also served as General Counsel of CARICOM on secondment from The UWI.

Speaking of the role of the President in the region, Dr Carla Barnett, CBE, CARICOM Secretary-General, remarked ‘the Office of the President carries not only the highest responsibility within 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. The CCJ President not only presides over judgments, but also shapes the tone, integrity, and institutional strength of the Court itself. This leadership will be crucial as we navigate complex legal issues in an era defined by technological change, social transformation, and global interconnectedness.’

Mr Justice Anderson will serve as President for no longer than the statutory period of seven years. He replaces Mr Justice Adrian Saunders who was also in attendance at the swearing-in ceremony. Speaking of President Anderson at the event, Mr Justice Saunders stated, ‘Throughout his time at the CCJ, Mr Justice Anderson fully demonstrated that he is an extremely hard-working and dynamic Judge. Since he joined the Court, he has sat on all the cases that have come our way in which we have been tasked with interpreting and applying the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. He has also sat on over 200 appeals from the various states that send their final appeals to us. He has written or co-authored some 32 opinions, and in most of these, he has delivered the leading opinion of the Court.’

In his remarks, Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP, Prime Minister of Jamaica, and Chairman of the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government congratulated President Anderson stating, ‘to the Honourable Mr Justice Winston Anderson, I extend warm and sincere congratulations. Your appointment is a moment of pride not only for Jamaica but for the entire region. You bring to this office a distinguished legal mind, profound commitment to Caribbean Jurisprudence, and decades of service grounded in scholarship and vision.’

Footage of the ceremony can be viewed on the Court’s YouTube channel here: Mr Justice Anderson Swearing-in Ceremony.

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