By Mark DaCosta- The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has formally voiced its alarm regarding an escalating crisis within the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). In a letter dated August 12, 2026, the GTUC reached out to key regional officials, including Dr. Carla Barnett, the Secretary-General of CARICOM, Hon. Philip J. Pierre, the Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government, and the members of the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC). The letter calls for a thorough internal investigation following reports about disunity among the judges of the CCJ, as revealed in recent media leaks.

The heart of the correspondence from the GTUC expresses deep apprehension about the integrity of the CCJ, particularly in light of allegations that have surfaced about its leadership. Specifically, it mentions that five of the six judges have raised significant concerns about the management style of Justice Winston Anderson, the President of the Court. Allegations mentioned in the document include claims of authoritarian governance and attempts to sway judicial outcomes, which if verified, would shake the very foundation of the court’s establishment as a bastion of justice within the region.

The publication of these allegations first occurred in the Trinidad Express on August 9, prompting the GTUC’s call for action. “The GTUC is particularly concerned about reports surrounding D’Almada v Trinidad and Tobago,” the letter states, stressing conflicts arising from alleged removal of a judge from a panel due to disagreements with the Court President on legal interpretations. Such revelations pose a critical threat to the perception of judicial independence.