CCJ Appoints New Judge, Dr. Chantal Ononaiwu
Dr Chantal Ononaiwu
The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has announced the appointment of Jamaican jurist Dr. Chantal Ononaiwu as a new judge. She is expected to be sworn in in October.
Appointment Process
The appointment was confirmed by the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC), the independent body responsible for recruiting staff and judges for the CCJ. The vacancy was created by Justice Jacob Wit’s untimely retirement on December 31, 2023. Wit died on January 16 this year.
"The RJLSC prides itself on a competitive recruitment process, premised on merit and experience, and fiercely independent. Each appointment reflects our unwavering commitment to selecting individuals of the highest caliber, based solely on their expertise, integrity, and dedication to justice," said CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders.
During the recruitment process, the Commission received applications from The Bahamas, Great Britain, Canada, Nigeria, Dominica, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Four candidates, three females and one male, were shortlisted for further consideration and subsequently interviewed by the entire membership of the Commission in Port of Spain in person.
About Dr. Chantal Ononaiwu
Dr. Ononaiwu has more than 20 years of experience as an attorney and has specialist expertise in Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Law and International Law, including International Trade Law, and varied legal experience as an adjudicator, litigator, legal advisor, and university lecturer.
She has expertise in Commercial Law, having worked in the global business and financial services sector as the Director of Value Proposition Development at Invest Barbados. She has also served as a Vice-Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce Digital Standards Initiative Legal Reform Advisory Board.
In her academic career, Dr. Ononaiwu has lectured in International Trade and Investment Law, Public International Law, and Criminal Law at the University of the West Indies. She has also published in these areas.
Prior to her appointment, Dr. Ononaiwu coordinated the organization’s external trade policy as CARICOM’s Director of External Trade. She advised CARICOM and its member states on international trade and investment issues and was a negotiator for the Community in negotiations of international trade agreements.
Dr. Ononaiwu has experience as an international trade adjudicator, having served on a panel that adjudicated a World Trade Organization dispute. She is a Rhodes Scholar and holds the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy in Law from the University of Oxford, Master of Laws from the University of Cambridge, and Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) from The University of the West Indies, as well as a Legal Education Certificate of Merit from the Norman Manley Law School.
Future Recruitment
The RJLSC is conducting recruitment exercises for further appointments to the Bench, including the post of President to replace Justice Saunders, who will retire in 2025.
FAQs
Q: Who is Dr. Chantal Ononaiwu?
A: Dr. Chantal Ononaiwu is a Jamaican jurist with over 20 years of experience as an attorney and specialist expertise in Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Law and International Law.
Q: What is her background?
A: Dr. Ononaiwu has a strong academic background, holding the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy in Law from the University of Oxford, Master of Laws from the University of Cambridge, and Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) from The University of the West Indies, as well as a Legal Education Certificate of Merit from the Norman Manley Law School.
Q: What are her qualifications?
A: Dr. Ononaiwu has expertise in Commercial Law, International Trade Law, and International Trade and Investment Law. She has also served as an adjudicator, litigator, legal advisor, and university lecturer.
Q: What is her experience in international trade and investment?
A: Dr. Ononaiwu has experience as a negotiator for CARICOM in international trade agreements and has advised CARICOM and its member states on international trade and investment issues. She has also served as an international trade adjudicator, having served on a panel that adjudicated a World Trade Organization dispute.