Distinguished Guyanese legal luminary and former Acting Justice of Appeal, Christopher Arif Bulkan, was today sworn in as the newest Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). He took his oath before President Irfaan Ali at the Office of the President.
President of the CCJ, Justice Winston Anderson, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Roxane George, were among the officials witnessing Justice Bulkan’s swearing-in along with members from his family and close friends.
Justice Bulkan is the third Guyanese to be appointed to the bench of the CCJ, which is Guyana’s final Appellate Court.
Offering his congratulations, President Ali said Guyana takes pride in Justice Bulkan’s appointment to the CCJ. Describing Justice Bulkan as a man of intellect, the President said his career is a model of public service, having served in multiple capacities at the level of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Magistracy and the Court of Appeal in Guyana.
“Guyana celebrates Justice Bulkan today and hails his appointment to the Caribbean Court of Justice. Justice Bulkan’s appointment to the Caribbean Court of Justice is both a personal triumph and a national honour. We are certain that he will bring to the Court the same clarity of thought, depth of analysis and balance of judgment that would have characterized his distinguished career. As he takes up this new and solemn responsibility, we wish him a successful tenure,” the President said.
In August, Justice Bulkan was selected by the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC) to join the CCJ as a Judge.
He holds a Bachelor of Laws from The University of the West Indies; a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School; a Master of Laws from University College London; and a Doctor of Philosophy in Law from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Canada.
Justice Bulkan has worked both regionally and internationally in the legal field, and in the course of his career, he has functioned in various capacities, including as a litigator, academic, author, activist, judge, and international law expert. Justice Bulkan was admitted to the Bar in Guyana in 1990.
Justice Bulkan sat on the Court of Appeal of Guyana in 2018, and later served as a Judge of the Court of Appeal of Belize.
Between 2008 and 2022, he taught in the Faculty of Law at The University of the West Indies, in addition to serving as an expert member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee.
President of the CCJ, Justice Winston Anderson said Justice Bulkan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the bench of the CCJ.
“Justice Bulkan’s work reflects his deep commitment and unwavering dedication to the principles of social justice, equality and the rule of law. These attributes alongside his wisdom, depth of knowledge and wealth of experience, will serve him in good stead as he embarks on service at the highest judicial level in our region. The people of Guyana have good reason to be proud of their son and of his elevation to the CCJ,” Justice Anderson said.
Acting Chancellor, Justice Roxane George, who graduated alongside Justice Bulkan in 1988 from the University of the West Indies, and later from the Hugh Wooding Law School in 1990, said she is thrilled to witness his elevation to the bench of the CCJ.
“His humility, and calm, friendly personality belied his sharp wit and masterful command of the English language, which is evident in his judgments and academic publications. With a doctorate in law, he brings to the CCJ bench many years of experience as a regional and international champion of Human Rights, years of experience as a lecturer at the University of Guyana and at the University of the West Indies, as a Justice of Appeal in Guyana and Belize and as a member of regional and international bodies. Therefore, speaking on behalf of the judicial officers of Guyana, we believe beyond a reasonable doubt, that Justice Bulkan will be an asset to the CCJ, our apex Court,” Justice George said.
In his acceptance speech, Justice Bulkan said it is an honour and privilege to serve as a Judge at the CCJ.
“I just first and foremost express my gratitude to my mother, whom, has been both mother and father to me. But I am also the beneficiary of the enormous sacrifices of my father who died far too young and as well the consistent care of my six older siblings. The public service and the values espoused by my siblings and my close relatives come directly from my mother, and to her, I say thank you very much for your consistent example in our lives,” Justice Bulkan said.
Late Justices Desiree Bernard and Duke Pollard are the other two Guyanese Justices who sat on the Caribbean Court of Justice.
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