Aug 23, 2026 Features / Columnists, Ronald Sanders

(Kaieteur News) – I have been an advocate of the Caribbean Court of Justice from its conception. In 2015, on the Court’s tenth anniversary, I described its creation as arguably the most significant institutional achievement of the English-speaking Caribbean since the Treaty of Chaguaramas. I have not changed that view.

I have also argued repeatedly that the CCJ is a people’s court. An appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council costs at least US$65,000 and is, therefore, beyond the reach of most Caribbean people. By contrast, the CCJ, with its travelling Bench, video links and electronic filing, provides access to justice for persons of little means as well as for governments and wealthy companies.