By Staff Writer
CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Oct 7, CMC – The Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) opened its new law term in St. Lucia on Wednesday with its President, Justice Winston Anderson, noting that over the past two decades the Court has built a strong foundation of institutional excellence guided by principles and values which underpin, support, and drive its work.
“Judicial independence and impartiality, enhanced accessibility, technological innovation, and adaptability, and a strong service ethos have remained central to the Court’s operations,” Justice Anderson said, adding that “adherence to these principles has enabled the Court to deliver justice at the highest level while developing a distinct and robust body of indigenous jurisprudence that stands as a source of pride for the region.”
Justice Anderson, the fourth president of the CCJ since it was established in 2001 and inaugurated four years later to replace the London-based Privy Council as the region’s highest and final court, said that the two decades had been spent building the Court.
“Now we must deepen its reach and strengthen its impact. As we move into this new judicial year, we do so with a clear sense of purpose, an unwavering commitment to service, and renewed resolve to fulfil our mandate,” Justice Anderson said.
The CCJ is holding its first-ever itinerant sitting here until Thursday, coinciding with the opening of the 2026/2027 judicial year, and Justice Anderson said that while much has been achieved and the Court has much to be proud of, “it has not been an easy road”.
He noted that at the Court’s inception, Guyana and Barbados immediately acceded to the Court’s appellate jurisdiction, followed by Belize in 2010, Dominica in 2015, and most recently St. Lucia in 2023.
“The pace of accession to the appellate jurisdiction by other member states has not been as swift as we would have hoped. The Court has continued to thrive in its ability to cultivate a truly Caribbean jurisprudence in both the original and appellate jurisdictions, steadfastly pursuing its mission of advancing Caribbean jurisprudence by providing accessible, efficient, and substantive justice to the people and states of the Caribbean community.”
The CCJ President said that since its establishment, the Court has heard and determined more than 500 matters in both the original and appellate jurisdictions, noting that the figure surpasses some of the CCJ’s larger and more established counterparts.
“In carrying out its mandate, the Court has continually sought to enhance access to justice and embrace emerging technological advancement. It has attracted and appointed competent and dedicated judges and staff from across the world, while engaging with external stakeholders regionally and internationally to solidify its status as a respected apex Court.”
Justice Anderson said that in doing so, the Court has fulfilled not only its responsibility to administer efficient and fair justice, but also its responsibility to uphold the rule of law, protect fundamental rights and freedoms of the Caribbean people, and contribute to the development of a coherent and authoritative body of community law.
He said in the last judicial year in the appellate jurisdiction, the Court delivered 17 judgments from appeals and special leave applications from the five member states, including St. Lucia, and that these matters were of great public importance, as well as providing “measured clarification and developing specific areas of the law”.
He said that in March this year, the CCJ received its first referral matter when the Supreme Court of Belize sought interpretative assistance, and this request was honoured in a ruling delivered in July 2026.
He said that this landmark ruling followed the Court’s sustained efforts, including its referral workshop series and sensitisation sessions on the original jurisdiction throughout the region, and that the CCJ hopes that this development signals a growing appreciation and understanding of the referral obligation “and we certainly look forward to receiving many more referrals as national courts continue to engage with issues of community law”.
Justice Anderson said that in the coming year, the Court will remain fully engaged in the timely and efficient resolution of matters filed with it. He said in the appellate jurisdiction, these comprise nine appeals and 14 special leave applications.
“Currently, there are eight matters pending delivery in the appellate jurisdiction where judgement has been reserved,” adding that since St. Lucia acceded to the CCJ there has been a 600 per cent increase in judgments issued by the CCJ for St. Lucia when compared with a corresponding period at the Privy Council.
“In fact, the registry has recorded a recent overall 40 per cent increase in filings before the CCJ,” Justice Anderson said, noting that he was citing these stats to demonstrate that the Court will remain active in dispensing justice in the coming year.
He said looking ahead, the plan for this judicial year is to continue building on the foundation, advancing the Court in every possible area.
“This plan includes strengthening our operations, increasing internal efficiency, reviewing and modernising our internal and external processes, and ensuring the Court remains responsive to the growing demands of the landscape in which it operates.
“Additionally, the Court will remain focused on progressing work under a strategic plan 2025-2032, which will continue to guide our operations over the next six years,” he added.
CMC/kj/ir/2026.
