Law officials wrap two-day regional conference in Bermuda

The recently finished Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers (CAJO) 8th Biennial Conference stands out as one of the most remarkable in the history of the event, says a statement from Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers (CAJO). Held in Bermuda from November 21 to 23, 2024, the Conference embraced the theme “Justice 360: Holistic Approaches to the Administration of Justice.”

This year’s conference is described as a unique experience, emphasizing interactivity for participants. The agenda, spanning two and a half days, was crafted to enhance engagement through active participation. From the opening ceremony on the first day, the atmosphere was electric, with 100 participants expressing their enthusiasm. Judge Peter Jamadar, Chairperson of CAJO and a Justice of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), welcomed the attendees, who also heard special addresses from Bermuda’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Senator Kim Wilkerson, CCJ Judge and Academy Chairperson, Justice Winston Anderson, and Bermuda’s Chief Justice, Justice Larry Mussenden. Cultural performances showcased the rich Bermudian heritage, captivating the audience.

The conference saw attendance from several prominent heads of Caribbean judicial bodies, such as CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders, Chief Justice of The Bahamas Sir Ian Winder, Chief Justice of Barbados Justice Leslie Haynes, and others from various jurisdictions. Their participation added depth to the discussions.

Justice Adrian Saunders delivered a keynote address on the first day, discussing “Celebrating Caribbean Jurisprudence: Intersections between Law, Politics, and Society.” He highlighted the necessity for judiciaries to balance outcome-oriented thinking (measurable objectives) with process-oriented thinking (step-by-step approaches). Justice Saunders urged judicial officers to envision “the control of our constitutions resting solely with the Caribbean people,” emphasizing the importance of addressing unresolved legal disputes.

Throughout the conference, plenary and breakout sessions covered topics including artificial intelligence in Caribbean courts, the management of high-profile cases, fostering judicial integrity, combating violence against women and girls, conflict resolution within the judiciary, and court resource management. Engaging teaching methods, such as small group activities, panel discussions, and Q&A sessions, were employed to enhance learning. In line with this year’s wellness theme, there was a special segment focusing on tools for enhancing wellbeing. Furthermore, music and performance contributed to a stimulating environment while promoting creative learning. Notably, the schedule allowed participants ample time to relax and connect with colleagues, while social events each evening fostered camaraderie and networking.

Keynote speakers included Mr. L. Anthony Watkins, CEO of Odessey Consulting Ltd., and Dr. Elizabeth Macharia, Legal Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat, who led sessions on judicial conflict resolution and court resource management, respectively.

Adding excitement this year was the “Sounds of Justice” session, featuring dramatic presentations from judiciary representatives of The Bahamas, Bermuda, Guyana, Jamaica, and the CCJ.

During the Association’s Third Annual General Meeting, a new CAJO Management Committee was elected, with Justice Jamadar re-elected as Chair and Chief Justice Roxane George of Guyana as Vice Chair. The CAJO, recognizing the importance of wellbeing for judicial officers and staff, adopted a Statement on the Wellbeing of Judicial Officers and Judiciary Staff, building on the Nauru Declaration from July 2024. The CAJO also reaffirmed the commitment of all judicial bodies to uphold integrity and maintain the public’s trust, adopting ten timely resolutions. Details on the Wellbeing Statement and Resolutions can be found on CAJO’s official website at https://thecajo.org/reports/.

At the closing ceremony, it was announced that the next biennial conference in 2026 will be hosted by the Judiciary and Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.