Cornwall Bar Association backs move to modernise Parish Courts Act

WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — The Cornwall Bar Association (CBA) has thrown its support behind a Private Member's Motion moved by Senator Charles Sinclair in the Senate on Friday, October 23, 2026, aimed at initiating a comprehensive review and modernisation of the Judicature (Parish Courts) Act. If adopted, the motion would, among other things, allow for an increase in the monetary jurisdiction of the Parish Court's Civil Division. “He is a member of the Cornwall Bar Association and attorney-at-law with firsthand knowledge of the hardships faced by litigants when they seek Justice. The current one million mark is insufficient, and you are not by law allowed to split your claim so as to fall within the jurisdiction of the Parish Court,” stated President of the Cornwall Bar Association, Dionne NS Meyler. As such, the CBA is urging the Government to review the legislation. Meyler pointed out that claimants can currently sue for damages up to a paltry sum of $1 million. She gave the example of damage to a motor vehicle or house, where replacement parts and labour costs frequently exceed that limit. “Our judges are trained and equipped to deal with sums larger than $1 million. It would remove the unnecessary load from the Supreme Court, where dates for trial now are in 2028 and 2029,” argued Meyer. “The Parish Court operates at a faster pace, and the ordinary man can afford to approach the Parish Court for his justice,” she added. The CBA suggests raising the minimum threshold to $5 million, noting that claims of up to $10 million could easily be accommodated in the Parish Courts. “We also believe that it is this current limit that causes insurance companies to hold claimants hostage, often refusing to even acknowledge the claims made against policies. If the law allowed claimants to file against them in the Parish Court, it would awaken their sensitivity to the plight of persons injured in accidents,” reasoned Meyler. The Judicature (Parish Courts) Act — formerly the Resident Magistrates' Act — governs the structure, administration, powers, and jurisdiction of Jamaica's Parish Courts, which handle civil common law claims, equity disputes, family matters, and summary or indictable criminal offences.