PORT of SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — The Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) says it regards itself as a prime example of Caribbean ingenuity as the Caribbean Community (Caricom) celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The CCJ is the Caribbean's regional judicial tribunal established on February 14, 2001, when the agreement establishing the court was signed by 10 Caricom member states — Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The CCJ, which replaces the London-based Privy Council as the final court for some Caricom states, functions also as an international tribunal interpreting the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the regional integration movement. It has both an appellate and original jurisdiction.

In a statement, CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders said that it is a mark of distinction to be recognised as the oldest-surviving integration movement in the developing world.

"Our forebears demonstrated great vision when forming this community, and for this we pay them tribute. The CCJ regards itself as a prime example of Caribbean ingenuity. The institutional arrangements developed to fund the court and to select and appoint judges have been praised the world over for their uniqueness."

He said the CCJ notes with "appreciation the undeniable progress the community has made in achieving its goals over the last five decades, and we look forward to playing our own part in consolidating those achievements as the court pursues its mission to provide accessible, fair and efficient justice for the people and states of the Caribbean Community".