Caribbean Bar Associations call for probes into CCJ leaks, accusations against CCJ President

Last Updated on Thursday, 13 August 2026, 12:28 by Denis Chabrol

The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Bar Association (OECSBA)  and the Organization of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations (OCCBA) on Thursday recommended that an investigation be conducted into how internal correspondence among Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) judges was leaked to the media.

“The public disclosure of private emails between the judges of the CCJ pertaining to ongoing internal matters of that court, that were apparently in the process of discussion, is disturbing, unfortunate and requires immediate and thorough investigation,” the OECSBA and OCCBA said in a joint statement.

They also recommended that steps be taken to tighten Information Technology (IT) security at the Trinidad-headquartered final civil and criminal appeals court for five of the 15 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states and the tribunal to settle CARICOM single market disputes for all member states except The Bahamas which is not a member of the single market.  “Whether or not the public disclosures were as a result of an intentional or accidental leak or an orchestrated hack, the technical, security and computer systems at the CCJ require careful scrutiny and urgent remediation,” the associations said.

With regard to the concerns and allegations made by a number of CCJ judges against the President of that court, Justice Winston Anderson, the OECSBA and OCCBA called unequivocally for them to be investigated investigated to determine their honesty and accuracy. Those Bar Associations said they were unsure about the motive for the allegations and floated a number of possibilities. “At this juncture it is unclear whether what is being played out in the public arena reflects legitimate matters warranting institutional attention or internal politicking, grandstanding or perhaps misunderstandings,” the associations said.

Noting that the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC) is well placed to address the issue, the two regional bar associations urged the CCJ judges to address their internal matters “frankly and openly amongst themselves.” The association said it was willing to play a role in mediation with the ultimate goal of ensuring the CCJ’s image remains intact. “Our leadership stands ready to assist in any way possible, including the facilitation of mediation in a dignified way with the overarching objective of preserving the integrity and independence of the CCJ as well as the independence of the judiciary comprising the CCJ,” they said in their joint statement.

The OECSBA and OCCBA said their collective support for the CCJ as an important institution remains unshaken and is based on a considered examination of the CCJ, its body of important work, the fact that it is working hard in the interest of dispensing justice in a fair and unbiased manner for all those seeking justice before the CCJ.

The associations encouraged the media to continue reporting and commenting in measured, accurate and fair manner with due regard to the ongoing processes of the CCJ and the RJLSC.

The associations reaffirmed that the CCJ as a whole as well as the RJLSC continue to have their full confidence at this time. They said they were confident that those institutions are well placed to address and resolve the issues, and that they would be ventilated and finally resolved in a manner that preserves the dignity of the CCJ and all its Judges. “The interest and preservation of the CCJ as an apex institution for the administration of Justice in the Commonwealth Caribbean demands no less,” they said.

The OECSBA and OCCBA said for several years now, their affiliate bar associations have have actively supported and worked towards the growth and development of the CCJ as the regional apex court and lent their collective influence and voices to ensure that the CCJ would eventually become the final appellate court for all CARICOM countries. “Our unwavering support for the CCJ has been consistently maintained and endorsed by the bar associations of the 15 member states comprising OCCBA.”

The RJLSC said it would conduct a “transparent and indepen­dent review” of allegations against Justice Anderson.

Prominent Guyanese attorney Nigel Hughes on Wednesday cautioned that investigating and removing the president of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is a complex process that cannot be done merely by a review, but by the triggering of a probe by at least three Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders.

Mr Hughes said that, for the sake of the independence and integrity of the Trinidad-headquartered CCJ, he believes that three or more regional leaders should invoke provisions of the agreement establishing the regional court to address the “grave” allegations.

“If true, they go to the heart of the Court’s integrity,” he said in a Facebook post.