JAMAICA | Opposition wants Parish Court Monetary Limit Increased to $5 million

Kingston, Jamaica. March 10, 2024: The Opposition People's National Party is calling on Justice Minister Delroy Chuck to increase the monetary limit in the Parish Court from $1 million to $5 million so that more cases can be heard in a timely manner. 

The Opposition Spokesperson on Justice Senator Donna Scott-Mottley highlighted that the last increase in the monetary limit within the jurisdiction of the Parish Court from $250,000 to $1 million, occurred 10 years ago in 2013, when Mark Golding was Minister of Justice. 

Given that there is an urgent need for greater access to justice compounded by the impact of inflation and the high cost of litigation, the Opposition is of the view that the monetary limit in the Parish Court should be increased. 

The Opposition Spokesperson expressed that the current backlog of cases in the courts is a severe hindrance and deterrent to justice, for those who utilise the court system. “There are instances where parties have to wait several years before appearing before the courts. 

Currently, the Supreme Court is issuing 2028 trial dates for civil matters which means that some cases filed in 2024 will not be heard for another 4 years”, said Senator Scott-Mottley. 

In a statement in January, Chief Justice, the Honourable Bryan Sykes said that there were no backlogs in the Parish Court. However, there is still a backlog in the Supreme Court with an average intake of 13,420 while only disposing of 8,765 cases each year. 

“This suggests that the Parish Courts are operating at a more efficient rate than the higher courts, and would be able to handle a greater caseload” noted Senator Scott-Mottley.

The Opposition is also calling for a periodic review of the Judicature (Parish Court) Act (Increase in Jurisdiction) Orders to ensure that the limits established reflect the economic climate of the nation. 

Such a measure would reduce the financial burden on the litigant of having matters heard in the Supreme Court for what is now a relatively minor matter, thereby fostering greater access to justice for all.

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