J’can Winston Anderson now CCJ judge
EXECUTIVE director of the Caribbean Law Institute Centre Professor Winston Charles Anderson created history yesterday by becoming the first Jamaican to be sworn in as a judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) during a ceremony at King’s House.
Professor Anderson, who had requested that the swearing-in ceremony be held in Jamaica for the first time, said he was very humbled by the opportunity afforded him by the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to serve.
“From the austerity of a rustic upbringing in a rural community in the 1960s in St Ann, to secondary education in a school surrounded by depressed inner-city communities in Kingston, to a home in August Town, St Andrew, my journey to this moment has been made possible only by the love and support of many who held lamps to my feet so that I would not walk in darkness,” Anderson said to thunderous applause from members of the diplomatic corps, legal luminaries and relatives who had travelled from near and far to witness the historic moment.
Upon being called by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen to take and subscribe to the oath of office, the professor swore to “…faithfully exercise the office of judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice without fear or favour, affection or ill-will, and in accordance with the code of judicial conduct”.
Sir Patrick, in expressing his confidence in Anderson to perform his task, said he expected him to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that would further advance the work of the CCJ.
“Undoubtedly he will contribute significantly to the body of professional work produced by the Court and ultimately the maturing of a Caribbean jurisprudence,” he said.
President of the CCJ Michael de la Bastide said three persons — all Jamaicans — were short-listed for the post, which was awarded to Anderson.
“Jamaica has produced so many distinguished jurists that it was obviously only a matter of time before the selection process produced a Jamaican winner,” he said, emphasising that the process of selection was based on merits and not the geographic location of seats.
Professor Anderson, who resides in Barbados, was selected by members of the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission to replace Justice Duke E E Pollard who retired from the bench in June this year. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the West Indies, a doctorate in International and Environmental Law from the University of Cambridge and has been called to the bar successively in England, Barbados and Jamaica.
Secretary General of Caricom Dr Edwin Carrington, who had worked with Professor Anderson between 2003 and 2006 when he served as general counsel of the Caribbean Community, said he was aware of the professor’s keen insights and deep knowledge of the CCJ.
“A prestigious appointment such as this calls for the highest qualifications. Mr Justice Anderson has duly distinguished himself both by scholarship and character,” said Carrington.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding, while noting that Professor Anderson was “eminently qualified”, said that the post would not be without its challenges, some of which are beyond the ambit of the court itself.
“The future of the court is intertwined with the future of Caricom itself,” he said.