COVID-19: CCJ takes safety measures

(Caribbean Court of Justice Press Release) The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) continues to closely monitor the current global situation in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the guidance of the local Ministries of Health and National Security and in order to ensure the safety of our staff members, visitors and stakeholders, we have taken the following measures:

1. Postponement of 12th CCJ Annual International Law Moot. The Court has taken the necessary precaution to postpone this event as it brings together law students from throughout the region to participate in its flagship mooting competition. Alternative modes for conducting the moot and dates are under consideration and decisions will be communicated in due course.

2. Suspension of Court Tours. In an effort to restrict the free flow of persons throughout the CCJ building and to control the level of interactions between persons, the CCJ has decided to suspend Court tours to the public. This includes tours comprising students from every educational level.

3. Restricted Library access. The CCJ’s Main Library has been closed to the public. Queries can be emailed directly to library@ccj.org.

4. Screening of visitors. Any visitor to the Court, inclusive of contractors and suppliers, will be screened at entry points by Security Officers before being granted access to the building.

Additionally, visitors who are required to be at the Court will be requested to complete a form detailing specific information. Where possible, this form must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance. Hand sanitisers and disinfecting wipes have been provided at both entrances of the Court as well as at strategic points throughout the building for the mandatory use of visitors.

These guidelines are in effect until further notice. We encourage everyone to safeguard themselves and be vigilant and safe at this time.

About the Caribbean Court of Justice
The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was inaugurated in Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
on 16 April 2005 and presently has a Bench of seven judges presided over by CCJ President, the Honourable
Mr Justice Adrian Saunders. The CCJ has an Original and an Appellate Jurisdiction and is effectively,
therefore, two courts in one. In its Original Jurisdiction, it is an international court with exclusive
jurisdiction to interpret and apply the rules set out in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC) and to
decide disputes arising under it. The RTC established the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the
CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). In its Original Jurisdiction, the CCJ is critical to the
CSME and all 12 Member States which belong to the CSME (including their citizens, businesses, and
governments) can access the Court’s Original Jurisdiction to protect their rights under the RTC. In its
Appellate Jurisdiction, the CCJ is the final court of appeal for criminal and civil matters for those countries
in the Caribbean that alter their national Constitutions to enable the CCJ to perform that role. At present,
four states access the Court in its Appellate Jurisdiction, these being Barbados, Belize, Dominica and
Guyana. However, by signing and ratifying the Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice,
Member States of the Community have demonstrated a commitment to making the CCJ their final court of
appeal. The Court is the realisation of a vision of our ancestors, an expression of independence and a signal
of the region’s coming of age.

For more information please contact:
The Public Education & Communications Unit
Tel: (868) 623-2225 exts. 2296, 2246
Email: pecu@ccj.org