Legal System of Jamaica

Jamaica is located in Central America N Caribbean. It is geographically situated in caribbean, island in the caribbean sea, south of cuba. The country achieved independence on 6 august 1962 (from the uk). The capital is Kingston.

Government Overview

Government Type: parliamentary democracy (Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Chief of State: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Sir Patrick L. ALLEN (since 26 February 2009) Head of Government: Prime Minister Andrew HOLNESS (since 3 March 2016) Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister Administrative Divisions: 14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, Westmoreland National Holiday: Independence Day, 6 August (1962) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Jamaica is described as common law system based on the English model International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: several previous (pre-independence); latest drafted 1961-62, submitted to British Parliament 24 July 1962, entered into force 6 August 1962 (at independence) Amendment Process: proposed by Parliament; passage of amendments to “non-entrenched” constitutional sections, such as lowering the voting age, requires majority vote by the Parliament membership; passage of amendments to “entrenched” sections, such as fundamental rights and freedoms, requires two-thirds majority vote of Parliament; passage of amendments to “specially entrenched” sections such as the dissolution of Parliament or the executive authority of the monarch requires two-thirds approval by Parliament and approval in a referendum 

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of president of the court and a minimum of 4 judges); Supreme Court (40 judges organized in specialized divisions) Judge Selection: chief justice of the Supreme Court and president of the Court of Appeal appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister; other judges of both courts appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission; judges of both courts serve till age 70 Subordinate Courts: resident magistrate courts, district courts, and petty sessions courts

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of bicameral Lower Chamber: House of Representatives (63 (all directly elected) seats) Electoral System (Lower Chamber): plurality/majority Upper Chamber: Senate

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: yes Citizenship by Descent: yes Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

Europeans first saw Jamaica when Christopher COLUMBUS arrived in 1494, and the Spanish settled the island early in the 16th century. The Native Taino, who had inhabited Jamaica for centuries, were gradually exterminated and replaced with African slaves. England seized the island in 1655 and established a plantation economy based on sugar, cocoa, and coffee. The abolition of slavery in 1834 freed a quarter-million slaves, many of whom became small farmers.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Jamaica based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.