Jamaica's superior trial court. Constitutional claims are heard by a Full Court of three judges, which is unusual and reflects the seriousness attached to Charter litigation. The Gun Court, created in 1974 to deal with firearm offences, remains a distinctive and much-debated feature of the criminal justice system.
How the court is constituted
- Tier
- first instance
- Court type
- Superior court of unlimited jurisdiction
- Jurisdiction
- Unlimited civil and criminal jurisdiction, constitutional claims under section 19 of the Charter, and specialist divisions including the Revenue Court, Gun Court and Commercial Division.
- Seat
- Kingston
- Established
- 1880
- Composition
- The Chief Justice and puisne judges; a Full Court of three sits for constitutional claims.
- Appointment
- Appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission.
- Languages
- English
Where an appeal goes next
Appeal to the Court of Appeal of Jamaica.
Filing at this court
- Constitutional claim
- Fixed-date claim form under section 19 of the Charter, supported by affidavit
- Civil claim
- Claim form and particulars of claim under the Civil Procedure Rules 2002
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