Parish Courts of Jamaica

Parish Court · Island-Wide

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The Parish Courts (formerly the Resident Magistrate's Courts) handle minor criminal and civil matters across all 14 parishes. They are the first point of legal contact for most Jamaicans — handling petty crime, traffic offences, small civil claims, and preliminary inquiries in more serious cases that are eventually tried in the Supreme Court. Website: parishcourt.gov.jm. Appeals lie to the Court of Appeal.

Contact Information

Website: https://parishcourt.gov.jm

About legal in Jamaica

Jamaica's legal system is based on English common law. The Jamaican Bar Association regulates attorneys, with major firms in New Kingston, Mandeville, and Montego Bay handling everything from corporate transactions to real-estate conveyance, immigration, and family law. Legal Aid Jamaica provides free representation for those who qualify. The Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) handles business registration, and the Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) handles tax matters.

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