What changed
2026-08-11 14:47 UTC → 2026-08-12 22:21 UTC ·
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A The rift emerged within the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has intensified following the leak of internal correspondence. A majority of the court’s six sitting judges accused President Justice Winston Anderson of exercising “authoritarian” and “dictatorial” leadership. Specific allegations include attempts to improperly influence judicial opinions—notably regarding the extradition proceedings of Guyana’s Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed—and claims of “panel fixing,” such as the unjustified removal of Justice Chile Eboe-Osuji from a case. Justice Arif Bulkan warned that these actions threaten New allegations suggest the institution’s survival and could discourage countries like Jamaica unilateral imposition of a judicial dress code. Regional judiciary heads from adopting Barbados, The Bahamas, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the CCJ as Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court issued a final court joint statement expressing “grave concern” over the breach of appeal. confidentiality. While they declined to comment on the CCJ stated specific merits of the allegations might be “misunderstood or mischaracterised without allegations, they reaffirmed their confidence in the proper context,” CCJ as a vital regional institution. Political and legal reactions have escalated. The President of the controversy prompted calls for external intervention. Legal practitioners across Jamaican Senate, Tom Tavares-Finson, cautioned that the region have responded current turmoil makes it “reckless” for Jamaica to adopt the leaks. CCJ as its final appellate court. In Trinidad and Tobago, the Assembly of Central Legal Practitioners (ACLP) has urged Caricom and Caribbean prime ministers CARICOM leaders to launch a transparent investigation, warning that the situation could undermine an immediate investigation to protect public confidence. Meanwhile, the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) emphasized Legal expert Nigel Hughes noted that the administration must adhere to the removing a CCJ Code of Judicial Conduct, which mandates independence, integrity, and accountability. President is a complex process requiring a tribunal established by at least three CARICOM leaders.