Court of Appeal Hosts Special Sitting to Honor Retiring Mr. Justice Burgess

A Special Sitting of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) convened in Port of Spain, Trinidad on March 18, 2025, to celebrate the distinguished career of the Honourable Mr. Justice Andrew Burgess upon his retirement. The ceremony brought together regional representatives and dignitaries to honor Justice Burgess’s significant contributions to Caribbean jurisprudence and legal education. His appointment to the CCJ in 2019 marked a milestone as the first Barbadian judge to serve on the regional court. The event served as a testament to his profound impact on the legal landscape of the Caribbean.

CCJ President Adrian Saunders lauded Justice Burgess as a prime example of the region’s dedication to cultivating homegrown legal expertise. He embodied the vision of fostering legal professionals deeply attuned to the Caribbean context, committed to service, and driven by the zeal for legal reform, as articulated by Dr. Nicholas Liverpool. Justice Saunders emphasized Justice Burgess’s exemplary career as a testament to the goals of The University of the West Indies’ Faculty of Law, where he spent his entire professional life serving the region with unwavering dedication.

Justice Burgess’s legacy extends beyond his judicial service to his significant contributions to legal academia. President-Designate Winston Anderson highlighted his distinction as the first UWI graduate to achieve the rank of Professor and serve as Dean of the Law Faculty, a position he held longer than any other in the Faculty’s history. His influence as a scholar and jurist garnered deep admiration and respect throughout the legal community, impacting countless students and legal professionals.

Tributes from esteemed colleagues further underscored Justice Burgess’s enduring influence. Former Justice of Appeal of Barbados, Sherman Moore, commended his remarkable record of service to both academic and judicial spheres. Chief Justice of Barbados, Leslie Haynes, emphasized Justice Burgess’s pervasive impact on legal practice, with his decisions frequently cited in legal arguments. Lisa Shoman, CARICOM General Counsel and a former student of Justice Burgess, eloquently described him as a “Jupiter among our guides,” emphasizing his pivotal role in shaping the legal landscape and guiding generations of lawyers.

The breadth and depth of Justice Burgess’s judicial contributions were also highlighted by Chief Justice of Trinidad and Tobago, Ivor Archie. He noted the profound impact of Justice Burgess’s judicial opinions and legal reasoning, not only on regional jurisprudence but also on the broader regional and international legal communities. His insightful analyses and well-reasoned judgments have left an indelible mark on Caribbean legal discourse, shaping its evolution and enhancing its standing.

In his own reflections, Justice Burgess expressed his profound appreciation for the CCJ, describing it as the embodiment of the Caribbean people’s aspirations. He highlighted the Court’s role in shaping a distinctly Caribbean system of law, earning regional and international respect. He praised the CCJ’s remarkable achievement in establishing itself as a court of excellence and a thought leader in only 20 years, a testament to its commitment to judicial integrity and innovative legal thinking. Further tributes were offered by fellow CCJ judges, academics, and colleagues, all echoing the profound respect and admiration for Justice Burgess’s contributions. The official retirement of Justice Burgess, scheduled for April, marks the conclusion of a distinguished chapter in Caribbean legal history.