PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has officially announced that Justice Winston Anderson will become the next President, succeeding the retiring Justice Adrian Saunders, who will conclude his term on 3 July 2025.
Justice Anderson, a distinguished legal mind hailing from Jamaica and Barbados, earned his Bachelor of Laws from The University of the West Indies in 1983. He furthered his studies at Cambridge University under the Commonwealth and Chevening Scholarships, securing a Doctorate in Philosophy with a focus on International and Environmental Law in 1988. He was called to the Bar of England and Wales later that same year and subsequently admitted to the Bar of Barbados in 1989. Justice Anderson returned to The UWI’s Faculty of Law as a lecturer until 2003, holding positions such as Deputy Dean and head of the teaching department.
Since being sworn in as a Judge of the CCJ on 15 June 2010, Justice Anderson has been an advocate for judicial education and reform, currently serving as Chairman of the CCJ Academy for Law.
The appointment of Justice Anderson was finalized during the 48th regular meeting of CARICOM heads of government, held in Barbados from 19-21 February 2025, where the recommendation from the Regional and Judicial Legal Services Commission (RJLSC) was accepted. The RJLSC, an independent body responsible for the staffing and discipline of judges and court staff, submitted its recommendation for the presidency, which required a three-quarters majority vote from the heads of government.
Justice Anderson was selected following a rigorous competitive process involving applications from a diverse pool of candidates, including six males and one female from Commonwealth nations such as Barbados, Botswana, Jamaica, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka.
In response to the selection, the outgoing president expressed his congratulations, highlighting Justice Anderson’s extensive experience and commitment to the rule of law. He noted, “Justice Anderson’s leadership will undoubtedly fortify the CCJ’s mission to deliver justice of the highest standard with independence, fairness, and integrity.”
Justice Anderson is expected to be inaugurated as the CCJ president on 6 July 2025 in Jamaica.
