While nationality should never be a pre-requisite to become president of the regional Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), we admit to some sense of hope in the appointment of Jamaican Mr Justice Winston Anderson as head of the CCJ.

Justice Anderson was sworn in as the fourth president on July 6, 2025 during the 49th Regular Meeting of the Caricom Heads of Government Conference at a ceremony presided over by Jamaica’s Governor General Sir Patrick Allen in Montego Bay, St James.

The governor general is, as on all such important occasions, given what to say in his remarks, but we share his observation that Justice Anderson “brings to the office a distinguished record of scholarship, integrity and unwavering commitment to the ideals of justice”.

“His appointment is not only a personal triumph, but also a resounding testament to our regional confidence in our own talents, values, and ability to lead on the world stage,” Sir Patrick said as he wished him strength and success.

It is worthy of note that Jamaica is a member of the CCJ, subscribing to its original jurisdiction over the interpretation and application of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

But the country has not yet embraced the CCJ’s functions as a final appellate court for Caricom member states, at which time we would have ditched the United Kingdom-based Privy Council.

What makes us in this space hopeful in Justice Anderson’s appointment as CCJ head is by no means his Jamaican nationality, but his lived experience as a Jamaican, particularly as it relates to the ramshackle of a justice system that we have. This, we are convinced, potentially gives him a better understanding of our desire to achieve a more elevated quality of justice, the absence of which explains our hesitance to support the CCJ as the country’s final appeal court.

By this understanding, hopefully, Justice Anderson will be able to steer the court in a direction that seeks to satisfy the many doubts and reservations that not only Jamaicans have, but most of the other Caricom members who have thus far shunned the court.

We have noted that, while speaking as Caricom chairman, Jamaican Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness emphasised — with appreciable subtlety — that the CCJ must remain “a cornerstone in expanding access to justice through technology and innovation, while upholding judicial independence and accountability”.

“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,” he stated.

In our contribution over the years to the critical debate, which must continue on the CCJ, the Jamaica Observer has enumerated the weaknesses of the justice system which have caused our people to lose confidence in it, and too often take justice into their own hands.

We have also pointed out the need to create a legal environment which can assure foreign investors that they will get justice, if and when there is a dispute with our Government or that of the other Caribbean territories.

Until the brotherhood of politicians and their connectedness is behind us, we anxiously await the day when we can wholeheartedly embrace the CCJ as our final court.

In this, Mr Justice Anderson must not fail.