Caribbean Court of Justice delegation to pay visit to Suriname

Between January 20 and 24, 2026, a senior delegation from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), headed by Honourable Mr. Winston Anderson, President of the CCJ (referred to as President Anderson), will make an official visit to Suriname. This visit is a response to an invitation from Honourable Mr. Justice Iwan Rasoelbaks, President of Suriname’s Court of Justice.

CCJ reports that this visit is a key component of the Court’s broader strategic effort to strengthen connections with national judiciaries and government officials. It aims to bolster regional collaboration in line with the CCJ’s Strategic Plan 2025-2032.

The visit supports the Court’s priorities of Improving Access to Justice and Promoting Regional Impact by working to broaden judicial access and foster regional legal cooperation. It also emphasizes Communication, Stakeholder Engagement, and Public Trust, with goals of increasing transparency, building confidence, and deepening regional partnerships.

According to the CCJ release, during the visit, President Anderson, along with Honourable Mr. Justice Jamadar, a CCJ judge, and the Court’s Registrar and Chief Marshal, will speak to members of Suriname’s judiciary, bar association, parliamentarians, and other significant stakeholders. Media representatives will also be present at the Congress on the Modernization of the Judiciary on January 22, 2026. Their presentations will cover the Court’s structure, operational effectiveness, and overall institutional framework.

In November 2025, the CCJ wrapped up its Referral Training with the Surinamese Bar Association. This initiative marked the end of a two-year public education campaign, supported financially by the European Union’s 11th European Development Fund allocated to the CCJ. The campaign aimed to raise awareness among judicial, legal, and business communities about the obligation of national courts to refer questions regarding the interpretation and application of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to the CCJ’s Original Jurisdiction.

As part of its outreach, President Anderson held courtesy visits with Suriname’s Minister of Justice, the President of the Court of Justice, and the Dean of the Faculty of Law at Anton de Kom University. The CCJ also presented copies of the translated Dutch versions of the CCJ Original Jurisdiction Rules 2024 and the Referral Manual, reaffirming its dedication to enhancing cooperation with the Surinamese judiciary and legal sector under the Court’s Original Jurisdiction.

The CCJ anticipates engaging in meaningful discussions with its Surinamese counterparts and hopes to further clarify the Court’s role in promoting judicial excellence, regional integration, and the rule of law across the Caribbean.