On May 16, Sir Dennis Byron will step down, ending his seven-year tenure at the helm of the regional court. The tenure of president, according to the CCJ’s website, is for a non-renewable term of seven years.

The announcement of the date of Sir Dennis’ departure was made by the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda on May 2.

The notes from the Cabinet state, “The Chief Justice [President] has indicated his preference to end his legal career where it began: Antigua and Barbuda. Though a native of St. Kitts and Nevis, Justice Dennis Byron holds a special love for Antigua and Barbuda.”

A special sitting of the CCJ is scheduled to be held in the High Court in Antigua on May 16 to celebrate Sir Dennis.
Since last year, the Trinidad-based CCJ announced it was seeking a replacement for its president as his tenure came closer to an end.

The process of seeking his replacement started in July 2017 with the post being advertised extensively.

Communication was also sent directly to regional and international stakeholders giving them notice of the start of this process.

The St. Kitts-born Sir Dennis, who replaced Trinidadian jurist Michael De la Bastide in 2011, said it has been an honour to serve the region as the president of the CCJ.

The adjudicator was appointed by Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders on the recommendation of the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission.