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Country Background

Jamaica is an island located in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba. The capital of Jamaica is Kingston. The official language is English. The country’s population in 2016 was approximately 3 million. Jamaica is a predominantly Christian country, with about 65% of the population Protestant.

Constitution & Legal Structure

Jamaica is referred to as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; it is a Commonwealth realm. Jamaica's legal system is based on the English common law system with three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. The current Constitution entered into force in 1962, at independence.

Constitutional Status of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no constitutional status in Jamaica.

Jurisdiction(s) of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no official jurisdiction of operation in Jamaica.

Dominant School of Islamic Law

Jamaica has no official school of Islamic law. 

Sources of Law for Legal Research

Official Publications

• Legislative
  
  • Parliament consists of Senate and House of Representatives
  • Laws of Jamaica (Ministry of Justice)

• Executive
  • Cabinet Office
  • Jamaica Information Service (government PR office)

• Judicial
• Supreme Court
• Court of Appeals

 Unofficial Databases

• FAOLEX: Jamaica (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) database of national laws and regulations on food, agriculture, and renewable natural resources.
• NATLEX: Jamaica (International Labour Organization) database of national laws on labor, social security, and related human rights.
• RefWorld Legal Information: Jamaica (UNHCR)
• WIPO Lex: Jamaica IP Laws and Treaties (World Intellectual Property Organization)

References:

For an extended list of legal resources for this country, see the Library of Congress’s Research Guide, and for a narrative review, see the GlobaLex Foreign Law Research Guide (most updated version, where available). The Constitution is available in the LOC Guide in its original language and at Constitute in English. For full versions of past constitutions, amendments, and related legislation, see HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated or Oxford Constitutions of the World [subscription required for each].