Regional heads of Judiciary express concern over leaked CCJ communications

By Zoila Palma:  The Heads of Judiciary of Barbados, The Bahamas, Belize, Guyana, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago have issued a joint statement following recent public reports concerning internal correspondence and matters related to the administration and functioning of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). The statement comes amid growing scrutiny over an internal dispute at the regional court.

The judicial leaders emphasized the importance of the CCJ within the Caribbean’s legal system, noting that for countries that have accepted its appellate jurisdiction, the Court serves as their final court of appeal.

They stressed that its authority depends on “public confidence in the independence, impartiality, integrity and competence of its judges.”

The Heads of Judiciary said they would not comment on the merits of allegations attributed to individual judges or matters arising from the Court’s internal administrative and deliberative processes.

However, they expressed “grave concern about the breach of confidentiality” that led to the disclosure of what appear to be internal communications.

Despite the controversy, the regional judicial leaders reaffirmed their confidence in the CCJ as an important Caribbean institution and in the commitment of its judges to the administration of justice.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to “the independence of all regional judiciaries” and stressed the importance of maintaining public trust and confidence in courts across the region.

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