ORANJESTAD, Aruba — The Willem van Brussel Judge appointment became official after Acting Governor Agustin Vrolijk administered the judicial oath during a formal ceremony in Oranjestad.
Willem J.A.M. van Brussel was sworn in on Monday afternoon, July 27, 2026, as a judge of the Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.
Ceremony Held at Governor’s Residence
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Cas Ceremonial di Gobernador, the ceremonial residence used for official events involving Aruba’s governor.
Vrolijk performed the constitutional duties of governor in his capacity as Aruba’s acting governor. The acting governor assumes the responsibilities of the office when the governor is abroad, on leave or temporarily unable to perform the role.
The ceremony formally completed Van Brussel’s appointment to the regional court.
Government and Court Officials Attend
Minister of Justice, Integration and Public Transport Arthur Dowers attended the ceremony.
Jane Jansen, vice-president of the Joint Court of Justice, was also present as Van Brussel formally took the oath.
The Cabinet of the Governor of Aruba provided the official photographs documenting the occasion.
Judge Joins Regional Court
The Joint Court of Justice serves Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, as well as the Caribbean Netherlands islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.
Van Brussel’s judicial responsibilities will therefore form part of a court system operating across six Caribbean jurisdictions within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The official government announcement did not provide additional information about his previous legal positions, the division in which he will initially work or the types of cases he will hear.
Official Appointment Completed
The ceremony marked the formal beginning of Van Brussel’s service as a judge within the Joint Court.
The Willem van Brussel Judge appointment adds a new member to the regional judiciary responsible for administering justice across Aruba and the other territories served by the court.
