“A national honour” – Pres Ali says as Justice Arif Bulkan sworn in as CCJ Judge

Guyanese judge, Justice Christopher Arif Bulkan, is the newest member on the bench of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) – an appointment which, according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, is not just a matter of national pride but regional celebration.

Justice Bulkan took his Oath of Office on Thursday to become the third Guyanese to sit as a judge on the CCJ, which is Guyana’s highest appellate court. He was sworn-in by President Ali in the presence of family, friends, judicial colleagues and government officials at the Office of the President in Georgetown.
The Guyanese Head of State hailed the appointment, noting that Justice Bulkan’s elevation to the CCJ bench honours his family, the country and the noble ideal of Caribbean justice that the regional court represents.
“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 trial and a national honour. We are certain that he will bring to the court the same clarity of thought, the depth of analysis, and balance of judgment that have characterised his distinguished career,” Dr Ali stated.

Describing him as one of Guyana’s distinguished sons, President Ali said Justice Bulkan is a man of intellect whose career is a model of public service. The Guyanese leader said the judge served Guyana in multiple capacities including within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), as a Magistrate and a Justice of Appeal in the Court of Appeal.
He added that in addition to his judicial service, Justice Bulkan has also made invaluable contribution as a scholar and teacher, advancing the study of constitutional human rights and administrative law.
“As he takes up this new responsibility, we wish him a successful tenure. May his service further strengthen the CCJ, standing as a symbol of regional excellence and an enduring demonstration to the Caribbean’s belief in itself… Guyana and the Caribbean salutes you,” President Ali noted.

Unwavering commitment
Justice Bulkan’s appointment came after he was selected by the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission to join the CCJ as a Judge.
With 35 years of judicial experience, the newest member of the CCJ bench assured of his commitment to upholding efficiency and integrity in the execution of his duties at the regional court.
“I am acutely conscious of what this court represents in terms of colonisation and regional integration. And it’s an honour and privilege to have the opportunity to participate in this journey… Be assured, ladies and gentlemen and all the people in the region, that I am committed to performing my functions with competence, efficiency and unwavering integrity,” he stated.
According to Justice Bulkan, his appointment is especially deeply meaningful given the extensive talents within the Caribbean region from which the CCJ had to select. He also highlighted importance role the CCJ plays within the region.
“It’s meaningful to me because of what the court represents in terms of our road to full independence. We didn’t achieve full independence with political independence. What’s very important as well is self-determination, and this court is a court of us and by us, for us. And it’s because I believe so strongly in Caribbean identity that it resonates with me, being on the court,” he told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony on Thursday.
The Guyanese judge was appointed to fill a vacancy on the bench created by the recent elevation of Justice Winston Anderson to the presidency of the CCJ.

Justice Bulkan’s work
In welcoming Justice Bulkan to the bench during the swearing-in ceremony in Georgetown, Justice Anderson lauded the distinguished legal profession of the Guyanese judge, whom he described as an attorney, academic, author, international law expert and advocate in addition to being a judge.
“Justice Bulkan’s work reflects his deep commitment and unwavering dedication to the principles of social justice, equality and of 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… We look forward to the lasting contributions that you make to the court and continue to make in the region,” Justice Anderson posited.
According to the CCJ President, Guyanese have very good reasons to be proud of Justice Bulkan and his elevation to the CCJ. In fact, this sentiment was shared by Guyana’s Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Roxane George, who was a batchmate of Justice Bulkan at law school.
“Speaking on behalf of the judicial officers in Guyana, we believe, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Justice Bulkan will be an asset to the CCJ – our apex court. Justice Bulkan, we look forward to your judgments, which will shape our jurisprudence and the future of the court more so at this time, when the legal landscape is evolving rapidly, both substantively and procedurally. We are assured that in this, the 20th year of the CCJ, that your appointment builds on the legacy of the court and secures and fortifies the continued commitment of the court to excellence. We as a nation are proud of your achievements [and] proud of your elevation,” Justice George stated.
Justice Bulkan is the third Guyanese to serve on the CCJ bench after the late Justice Désirée Bernard and Justice Duke Pollard.
Justice Bulkan was admitted to the Bar in Guyana in 1990 and thereafter practised law at the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from 1990 to 1996, rising to the rank of Assistant DPP. He was in private practice from 1997 to 2004. Justice Bulkan sat on the Court of Appeal of Guyana in 2018, and since May 2022, has served a Judge of the Court of Appeal of Belize.
Between 2008 and 2022, Justice Bulkan taught in the Faculty of Law of The University of the West Indies. He was also an expert member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, serving as one of the Committee’s Vice Chairpersons from 2019 to 2022. He was elected in June 2023 to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for a four-year term and is currently serving as the Commission’s Second Vice-President.