Jamaican Jurist Winston Anderson Sworn In as President of the Caribbean Court of Justice
July 8, 2025 | Jamaica Live News Desk
Jewel Grande, Montego Bay | July 6, 2025 — In a moment of national pride and regional celebration, Jamaican legal luminary, the Hon. Mr. Justice Winston Anderson, was officially sworn in as the fourth President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Jewel Grande Hotel in St. James, was attended by regional dignitaries, judicial officers, and government leaders, including Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness.
Describing the appointment as a “proud moment for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean,” Prime Minister Holness praised Justice Anderson’s outstanding contributions to regional jurisprudence and his deep-rooted commitment to justice and the rule of law.
“You bring to this office a distinguished legal mind, a profound commitment to Caribbean jurisprudence, and decades of service grounded in scholarship and vision,” Prime Minister Holness said during his address. “Your judicial work continues to shape regional jurisprudence and inspire the next generation of Caribbean legal minds.”
Prime Minister Andrew Holness wrote on his Instagram Page,
Today, we witnessed a significant moment in Caribbean judicial history with the swearing-in of The Honourable Mr. Justice Winston Anderson as the fourth President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).Justice Anderson is a distinguished jurist whose scholarship, integrity, and service have shaped the legal landscape across the region. He has served on the CCJ bench since June 2010 and is both the youngest-ever and the first Jamaican judge appointed to the Court.
His appointment marks a proud moment for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean legal fraternity.
As we usher in this new Presidency, let us embrace the next 20 years with confidence, shared ownership, and an unwavering belief in the CCJ as a cornerstone of Caribbean integration and development.
Jamaica remains fully committed to the ideals of regional legal cooperation, and to strengthening the institutions that uphold justice across the Caribbean Community.
We believe that the Caribbean Court of Justice, under this new leadership, will continue to inspire confidence, protect rights, and shape a region where justice is accessible, relevant, and transformative.
Justice Anderson’s elevation comes as the CCJ marks its 20th anniversary, a symbolic milestone underscoring the court’s legacy in strengthening Caribbean justice and integration. A founding Chairman of the CCJ Academy for Law, Anderson has played a pivotal role in both the Court’s original and appellate jurisdictions, authoring judgments that have advanced the rule of law across the region.
The Prime Minister also used the occasion to emphasize the importance of judicial innovation and regional cooperation:
“The CCJ must remain a cornerstone in expanding access to justice through technology and innovation, while upholding judicial independence and accountability. Under this new leadership, we believe the Court will continue to inspire confidence, protect rights, and shape a region where justice is accessible, relevant, and transformative.”
Justice Anderson replaces outgoing President, the Hon. Justice Adrian Saunders, whose 48-year legal career and seven-year CCJ presidency were lauded for administrative reform, strategic planning, and continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Justice Saunders, we salute your integrity, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the rule of law,” said Holness. “Your legacy of judicial excellence has profoundly shaped the Court.”
A proud moment also unfolded for Justice Anderson’s family, as his adult children—Anessa, Aleisha, and Anquan—looked on with pride. They described their father as “inspirational and extraordinary,” echoing the sentiment of a region celebrating one of its finest jurists.
Born in 1960, Justice Anderson has served on the CCJ bench since 2010. He holds dual citizenship—Jamaican and Barbadian—and has contributed extensively to legal scholarship and institutional development within CARICOM.
The CCJ was established in 2001 under the Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice. It functions as both the final appellate court for several Member States and as the authoritative body for interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Justice Anderson now takes the helm of this pivotal regional institution at a time when Caribbean unity, sovereignty, and justice are more critical than ever.
— Jamaica Live News