THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has received its first-ever referral from a national court under its Original Jurisdiction, marking a significant development in the interpretation of regional law within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
The referral was made by the High Court of Belize in the matter of G. Anwar Barrow and others v Financial Services Commission and the Attorney General of Belize. Submitted on March 3, 2026, the case raises questions regarding the interpretation of provisions in Belize’s Companies Act and alleged anti-competitive business practices under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC).
On April 7, 2026, the CCJ convened a case management conference to address the referral and issued directions for the progression of the matter.
The hearing has been scheduled for May 19, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. AST and will be conducted via video conference.
Under its Original Jurisdiction, the CCJ holds compulsory and exclusive authority to interpret and apply the RTC, the legal framework governing the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. When questions regarding the treaty arise before national courts or tribunals, those bodies are required to refer the matter to the CCJ for an authoritative ruling. Once the Court provides its interpretation, the referring court resumes proceedings and applies the ruling to the case at hand.
Despite this mechanism being in place since the Court’s establishment, no referrals had been made prior to 2026. In response, the CCJ launched a regional public education campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the referral process among judges, attorneys, and stakeholders.
With support from the 11th European Development Fund, the initiative included outreach and training sessions across several CARICOM member states, including Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The Court also engaged private sector representatives to promote understanding of rights and obligations under the regional trade regime.
The Belize referral is being viewed as a milestone in strengthening the role of the CCJ in ensuring uniform interpretation of regional law and enhancing the functioning of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.
