Jamaica's Justice System Faces Infrastructure Challenges, Appeal Court President Warns

President of the Court of Appeal Marva McDonald-Bishop has publicly expressed concern over the state of Jamaica's courthouses, asserting that modern legal practitioners require updated and reformed facilities. Her remarks came during a swearing-in ceremony for eight newly appointed judicial officers at King's House on Thursday, April 10, 2026.

McDonald-Bishop drew a parallel between the current situation and a biblical metaphor, referencing Matthew 9:17: "

Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will spill, and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved." She argued that this illustrates the necessity of modernizing Jamaica's legal system to accommodate a new generation of legal professionals.

She questioned whether the newly appointed judges were being "poured into new wineskins or old wineskins," highlighting a perceived disconnect between the caliber of the practitioners and the quality of the facilities in which they operate. McDonald-Bishop detailed several deficiencies within the court system, stating that Jamaica's courthouses "reflect older architectural and operational designs that really are not suitable for dispensing justice."

Specific shortcomings identified included inadequate facilities for victims and witnesses, a lack of accommodations for jurors, and limited technological infrastructure despite ongoing discussions about virtual hearings. She noted that even basic amenities are lacking, preventing jurors from comfortably deliberating on cases. The President of the Court of Appeal emphasized that these deficiencies stifle the productivity of legal professionals.

Addressing the condition of the Court of Appeal building in downtown Kingston, McDonald-Bishop described a facade of modernity concealing significant internal problems. While appearing new on the outside, she stated that the building is "crumbling on the inside," citing issues such as sewage seepage, security risks posed by homeless individuals and informal vendors, and inadequate solid waste management. She acknowledged the efforts of the Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck, Permanent Secretary Grace Ann Stewart McFarlane, and the Court Administration Division in providing necessary resources, but emphasized that the underlying structural issues remain.

Chief Justice Bryan Sykes echoed McDonald-Bishop's concerns during the same ceremony, focusing on the delayed response to damage caused by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. He stated that the judiciary had contacted officials from the Ministry of Justice regarding the urgent need to renew or replace the main courts in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, following the Category 5 storm. However, five months later, the judiciary had received no communication from the government regarding plans to address the damage.

Sykes expressed frustration with the lack of action, questioning what would prompt a response if a Category 5 hurricane failed to do so. "

Would you believe that to date there has been no response in terms of getting the main courts in Savanna-la-Mar either up and running or being replaced? Nothing has happened," he stated. He further noted that requests for a larger judiciary budget are often met with the suggestion that such matters fall under the purview of the Ministry of Justice.

Despite these challenges, the judiciary has taken independent action to address some infrastructure issues. Sykes announced that repairs and improvements have been made to circuit and family courts in Westmoreland and Trelawny, respectively, utilizing the judiciary's own budget. He reiterated the need for the judiciary to have greater control over resources, advocating for a clear division of labor where the government builds the facilities and the judiciary maintains them.

Sykes argued that the experience with Hurricane Melissa demonstrated the unreliability of relying on other ministries for courthouse maintenance. McDonald-Bishop added that as the global landscape evolves technologically, Jamaican legal practitioners must have the opportunity to evolve alongside it through modernization of their work environments. "

When old wineskins become problematic, they cannot stretch, they burst under new pressure or they prevent real transformation," she said.