Caribbean Court of Justice

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was established in 2001 and is based in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

 It has two jurisdictions: an original jurisdiction and an appellate jurisdiction. 

In its original jurisdiction, the CCJ is an international court with compulsory and exclusive jurisdiction in respect of interpretation and application of the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

In its appellate jurisdiction, the CCJ hears appeals as the final court both in civil and criminal matters from Caribbean member states which have acceded to it as their final court.  Among those member states which have acceded to the CCJ, is Belize which did so with effect from June 1, 2010.  As Belize’s final court, the CCJ reviews decisions of the Court of Appeal, which are subject to appeal, to determine if the law was correctly applied in both civil and criminal matters.