INTRODUCTION

Jamaica has 14 parish courts, one for each of the 13 parishes and one in the capital, Kingston. The parish courts are located in Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Thomas, Portland, St. Mary, St. Ann, Trelawny, St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, and St. Catherine. These courts serve as the primary legal bodies for handling a wide variety of cases, including criminal, civil, family, and traffic matters. They are integral to the judicial system, ensuring that access to justice is available at the local level. The courts are presided over by judges or magistrates, and they help to alleviate the burden on higher courts like the Supreme Court by handling less complex legal matters. 

The judiciary of Jamaica is structured into several levels, with the Parish Courts serving as the first point of contact for many citizens seeking legal recourse. These courts handle a wide range of cases, including criminal, civil, family, and traffic matters. Each parish court is presided over by a judge or magistrate appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister, based on recommendations from the Judicial Service Commission. The specific names of the judges in each parish court are not typically published in a centralized public database, and appointments may change over time due to retirements or new appointments.

For the most current information on the judges assigned to specific parish courts, you can refer to the official website of the Court Administration Division of Jamaica, which provides contact details for each parish court.

Additionally, the Ministry of Justice or the Judiciary of Jamaica's website may offer updated information on judicial appointments.

Jamaica's court system, based on English common law, operates independently from the executive and legislative branches. The highest appellate court is the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC), though the country is exploring the establishment of a local final court. The Supreme Court, the second-highest, handles serious criminal and civil cases, with appellate jurisdiction over lower courts. Below it are the Court of Appeal, Parish Courts (handling minor offenses and family matters), and specialized courts like the Gun, Revenue, and Traffic Courts. Family courts focus on family law issues. The court system follows Civil and Criminal Procedure Rules and embraces alternative dispute resolution to alleviate court backlogs. The legal profession is regulated by the General Legal Council, ensuring ethical standards among lawyers. Despite its efforts for fairness, the system faces challenges with efficiency and delays.