The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (“OECS”) Bar Association and the Organization of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations (“OCCBA”) issue this joint statement having read recent media reports that touch and concern the independence of the Judges of the Caribbean Court of Justice (“the CCJ”) as well as matters that impact on the functioning and the administration of the CCJ (collectively “the issues”).

This joint statement firstly acknowledges the statements listed below, all relating to the issues, which underscores the importance that a wide variety of justice sector stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth Caribbean place on examining and resolving the issues; (i) (ii) (iii) a media release dated 10th August, 2026 of the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (“the RJLSC”), a joint statement dated the 11th August, 2026 by the heads of the judiciary of Barbados, the Bahamas, Belize, Guyana, The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, and a statement dated 10th August, 2026 from the Bar Council of the Bar Association of Guyana.

For several years, our bar associations have actively supported and worked towards the growth and development of the CCJ as our regional apex court and lent our collective influence and voices to ensure that the CCJ will 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 CCJ has been in operation as an apex court for over twenty-three (23) years. The CCJ and its various support mechanisms and entities are well structured to ensure and maintain the independence of the Judiciary, to attract the finest legal minds and to insulate them from political or other interference (through the mechanisms of the Regional Judicial Legal Services Commission “the RJLSC”) and to be adequately and securely funded (through the mechanisms of the Board of Trustees responsible for administering and preserving the funds of the trust fund used to ensure that the CCJ is properly, independently and securely funded).

The CCJ comprises a President and other Judges of vast legal experience not only in the region but internationally. The various Judgments delivered by the CCJ are sound, well-reasoned and are comparable to those issued by other final apex courts. For these reasons, the CCJ remains an important and independent pillar of our Caribbean Jurisprudence and is necessary for the administration of Justice throughout CARICOM, both in its original and appellate jurisdictions.

We address the issues raised in the recent media reports from four perspectives: –

Firstly, 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. 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.

Secondly, the various accusations as reported must now be urgently investigated and examined as to veracity and accuracy. It is important that the RJLSC facilitates discourse on these accusations and takes considered/responsible action in support of the CCJ. 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. This underscores the need for important intervention and scrutiny by the RJLSC, which, we submit, is well placed and equipped to address the issues. Our 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.

Thirdly, to the extent there are internal matters requiring resolution within the CCJ we urge the Judges of the CCJ, with the assistance of the RJLSC and other parties (including distinguished past Judges of the CCJ) to address them frankly and openly amongst themselves. OCCBA and the OECS Bar Association pledge our fullest support to the CCJ and the RJLSC in this regard. 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.

Fourthly, we recognise the role of the media in informing public discourse on matters of this nature, and we trust that reporting and commentary will continue to be measured, accurate and fair, with due regard to the ongoing processes of the CCJ and the RJLSC. OCCBA and the OECS Bar Association affirm that the CCJ as a whole, as well as the RJLSC continue to have our full confidence at this time. We are confident that these institutions are well placed to address and resolve the issues, and that they will 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.

12 August 2026

Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Bar Association

Per:- Delano Bart, K.C. – President

Contact:- [email protected].

Organisation of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations

Per:- Donovan C. Walker – President

Contact:- [email protected].