Caribbean
Court of Justice One People. One Region. One Court.

Jurisdictions · One Court, two roles

Appellate Jurisdiction

The CCJ is the final court of appeal in civil and criminal matters for the Caribbean nations that have adopted it — the highest court for their people, and a Caribbean alternative to courts beyond the region.

Search appellate judgments How to appeal

Overview

When a country makes the CCJ its final court of appeal, the Court takes the place previously held by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. It hears final appeals in both civil and criminal matters from the courts of that country, and its decisions are binding and conclusive.

Adopting the Court in this role is a sovereign decision each Member State makes for itself, by altering its national arrangements. Five states have done so; the door remains open to the rest of the Community.

In plain terms: if your case has gone as far as it can in your country's Court of Appeal, and your country has adopted the CCJ, the CCJ is where a final appeal is heard.

What this means

  • Final and binding — the CCJ has the last word; there is no further appeal.
  • Civil and criminal — the jurisdiction covers the full range of appellate matters.
  • Regional ownership — final appeals are heard by a Caribbean court, applying Caribbean jurisprudence.
  • Accessible — judgments are published in full and free to read, and many hearings are streamed.

Member states served

Five states currently access the Court in its Appellate Jurisdiction:

Barbados Belize Dominica Guyana Saint Lucia

By signing and ratifying the Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice, Member States have expressed a shared commitment to making the CCJ their final court of appeal — a number expected to grow over time.

How an appeal works

Final national decision

Your matter is determined by the Court of Appeal of a Member State that has adopted the CCJ.

Seek leave to appeal

Apply for leave (permission) to appeal to the CCJ, where leave is required, within the prescribed time.

File the appeal

File through the Registry, in accordance with the Court's rules — increasingly by e-filing.

Hearing

The appeal is heard by a panel of the Court, often streamed live, in person or by video.

Judgment

The Court delivers a written judgment, published in full and free to read. Its decision is final.

Rules, forms & fees

Rules & Practice Directions

The Appellate Jurisdiction Rules and current practice directions.

View rules

Forms & Fees

Appeal forms, the fee schedule, and filing guidance.

View forms

E-Filing

File and manage your appeal securely online.

Go to e-filing

The Registry

Contact the Registry for procedural guidance.

Contact Registry

Key appellate decisions

Nervais v. The Queen
Barbados · the mandatory death penalty held unconstitutionalAppellate Maya Leaders Alliance v. Attorney General
Belize · constitutional protection of customary land rightsAppellate Joseph & Boyce v. Attorney General
Guyana · the right to a fair hearing within a reasonable timeAppellate

Browse all appellate judgments

Common questions

Which countries can appeal to the CCJ?
Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, and Saint Lucia currently access the Court in its Appellate Jurisdiction. Other Member States may adopt the Court as their final court of appeal.
Do I need a lawyer to appeal?
While you may represent yourself, appeals to a final court involve complex procedure and most parties are represented by an attorney-at-law. The Registry can provide procedural guidance, but not legal advice.
Are judgments free to read?
Yes. Every judgment of the Court is published in full and free to read in the Judgments & Decisions database.
Can I watch an appeal hearing?
Many hearings are open to the public and streamed live. See Court Sittings for the schedule and links.