Tavares-Finson welcomes free UK visas for Privy Council appellants

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Government Senator Christian Tavares-Finson is welcoming an announcement that Commonwealth citizens, including appellants and their legal teams who are required to travel to London to attend proceedings of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC), can now access a free, streamlined visa application process. According to Tavares-Finson, in a press release, the development is timely and augurs well for access to justice at the highest level. “I am aware of concerns from some litigants about costs associated with accessing various levels of Jamaica’s appellate courts. Consequently, the announcement that Commonwealth citizens travelling to London to participate in Judicial Committee of the Privy Council proceedings can now access a free, streamlined visa application process is no doubt a positive development which has favourable implications for Jamaicans,” he said. The development comes amid commentary in some quarters about the cost to access the Privy Council. “The Privy Council has proved itself to be a reliable partner in dispensing justice to Commonwealth citizens, including Jamaicans, and this development is another step towards making it easier for our citizens to seek relief via our highest appellate court,” he said. In further explaining his description of the announcement as timely, Tavares-Finson said: “The announcement also comes amid mounting concern about the operations of the Caribbean Court of Justice and its reliability. It is a positive development that Jamaica’s highest appellate court has seen it fit to deliberate and make a favourable decision aimed at improving access to the court and reducing the associated costs by easing the financial burden that some appellants and litigants might have faced over the years.” JCPC Registrar Laura Angus revealed this week that the new free visa application process for appellants and their legal teams reflects the committee’s commitment to open justice, transparency and continuous improvement. “The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is very pleased to be able to confirm the UK Government’s offer of this service to parties attending appeals in London. We listen to our users’ feedback, and this decision underlines the JCPC’s commitment to open justice, transparency and continual improvement. We also routinely offer hybrid hearings for parties who prefer to take part in appeal hearings virtually,” Angus said.