PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Apr 16, CMC – The Caribbean Court of Justice is on Wednesday celebrating its 20th anniversary with the outgoing President Justice Adrian Saunders saying “‘today is a time for reflection and giving thanks”.
The judicial institution of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), established in 2005 to replace the London-based Privy Council as the region’s highest and final court, has both an Appellate and Original Jurisdiction. It also serves as an international tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the 15-member regional integration grouping.
Saunders, the third Caribbean national to head the Trinidad-based Court following the late Justice Michael de la Bastide and Sir Dennis Byron, said for the past 20 years, the CCJ has upheld the rule of law, safeguarded rights, and strengthened Caribbean jurisprudence.
“The Court has been a shining example of Caribbean ingenuity, with its innovative funding arrangement, in the form of the CCJ Trust Fund, and, through the establishment of the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission, its insulation from external interference in its recruitment practices,” said the St. Vincent and the Grenadines born jurist.
“This anniversary is not just a celebration of 20 long years, but also of our enduring commitment to delivering accessible, fair, and efficient justice to the people and states of the Caribbean.
“It is a privilege and an honour to serve the people of this region, and we, the judges and staff of the Court, are incredibly grateful to have had that opportunity over the past 20 years. We look forward to doing so for the next 20 years and beyond,” Justice Saunders said.
The milestone was celebrated with an Interfaith Service of Reflection and Prayer at the Queen’s Hall, in St. Ann’s on the outside of the capital that was attended also by Trinidad and Tobago head of state, Christine Kangaloo.
It was also attended by members of the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago, government, the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO), regional stakeholders, members of the diplomatic corps, the legal fraternity, commissioners of the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC).
RJLSC member, Sophia Chote SC, told the ceremony that the achievements of the CCJ are the achievements of the Caribbean region.
“We continue to have Commissions which are responsible, and which ensure that the CCJ’s Bench is populated only with the best. The judges themselves are acutely aware of their responsibility to the region and discharge their duties with diligence and integrity,” she said.
“The Registrar and her staff and other arms of the organisation continue to perform their duties with responsibility and innovation. The educational arm of the CCJ has had valuable outreach with judges, lawyers, and law students throughout the region,” Chote added.
Since its establishment, the CCJ has heard over 400 matters in its Appellate Jurisdiction and 37 matters in its Original Jurisdiction.
The CCJ has also developed a reputation for innovation in the administration of justice. It was one of the first courts in the region to livestream matters and conduct virtual hearings, doing so from as early as 2008.
In addition to justice administration, the CCJ’s work with affiliate organisations such as its educational arm, the CCJ Academy for Law and the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers (CAJO) has also proven to be beneficial to the region.
Recently, through the efforts of the Academy, chaired by CCJ President-designate, Justice Winston Anderson, the Needham’s Point Declaration on Criminal Justice was adopted and since then, has been cited in over 50 matters throughout the region.
CAJO, chaired by Justice Peter Jamadar, provides judicial training for judicial officers throughout the region to support effective and efficient justice delivery in the region.
Apart from the Interfaith Service, the CCJ will host a public exhibition showcasing a range of artefacts and archival material that chronicle its two-decade journey which later this year in Port of Spain.
In addition, the eighth Biennial CCJ Academy for Law Conference will be held in November under the theme ‘The CCJ at 20: Reflections on Caribbean Jurisprudence”.
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