Joint Statement by Heads of Judiciary of States that Subscribe to the Original and/or Appellate Jurisdictions of the Caribbean Court of Justice on Recent Reports Concerning the Caribbean Court of Justice
Courtesy of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC)
Castries, Saint Lucia – August 12, 2026 – The Heads of Judiciary of States (Barbados, Bahamas, Belize, Guyana, The ECSC, Jamaica and The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago) which subscribe to the original and/or appellate jurisdictions of the Caribbean Court of Justice have taken note of recent public reports concerning internal correspondence and matters relating to the administration and functioning of the Caribbean Court of Justice. The Caribbean Court of Justice occupies a position of profound importance as a regional institution and within the regional judicial architecture.
For those States which have acceded to its appellate jurisdiction, it is the final court of appeal, and for most States of the Caribbean Community, it is the court of original jurisdiction vested with the power to adjudicate on matters involving the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. Its authority, like that of all courts, rests upon public confidence in the independence, impartiality, integrity and competence of its judges.
We do not consider it appropriate to comment upon the merits of statements or allegations attributed to individual judges, nor upon matters arising within the internal deliberative or administrative processes of the Court. However, we express grave concern about the breach of confidentiality which resulted in the disclosure of what appear to be internal communications. We remain confident in the Caribbean Court of Justice as a vital regional judicial institution and in the commitment of its judges to the principles which underpin the administration of justice throughout the Caribbean.
The Heads of Judiciary reaffirm their commitment to the independence of all regional judiciaries, the institutional integrity of the Caribbean Court of Justice, and the enduring importance of maintaining public trust and confidence in the courts of the region.
OECS Communications Unit