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JPs Graduate from JTI to Serve in Lay Magistrates’ Court

By: , March 28, 2025
JPs Graduate from JTI to Serve in Lay Magistrates’ Court
Photo: Mark Bell
Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck (front row, third left), Custodes and Ministry executives share a photo opportunity with Justices of the Peace, during Thursday’s (March 27) Justice Training Institute (JTI) graduation ceremony at AC Hotel by Marriott in Kingston. Pictured (from left, front row) are Custos of Portland, Hon. Lincoln Thaxter; Custos of Clarendon, Hon. Edith Chin; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Grace Ann Stewart-McFarlane; Custos of St. Ann, Hon. John Issa; JTI Director/Principal, Analia Wallace-Muir; and Vice President of the Lay Magistrates’ Association of Jamaica, Lynden Trevor Heaven.
JPs Graduate from JTI to Serve in Lay Magistrates’ Court
Photo: Mark Bell
Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck (right) and Director/Principal of the Justice Training Institute (JTI), Analia Wallace-Muir (second right), engage in a conversation with the top-three performing Justices of the Peace (JPs), during Thursday’s (March 27) JTI graduation ceremony at AC Hotel by Marriott in Kingston. The JPs are (from left) Jerome Murdock, Ann Shaw, and Chase Roberts.

The Full Story

Sixteen Justices of the Peace (JPs) from Portland, Clarendon and St. Ann graduated from the Justice Training Institute (JTI), on Thursday (March 27).

The JPs received specialised training between October and December 2024, to serve in the Lay Magistrates’ Court.

Training administered by retired Senior Parish Judge, Hon. Marjorie Moyston, was focused on judicial principles and conduct, courtroom protocol and procedure, sentencing options, roles and functions of a lay magistrate, criminal trial proceedings and rules of evidence.

Addressing the graduation ceremony at AC Hotel by Marriott in Kingston, Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, charged the JPs to serve with integrity.

“Moreover, you must serve without bias. You must serve and ensure that people have confidence in you. I beg you to do so with humility. One of the greatest weaknesses of lay magistrates is the haughtiness with which they go around,” he said.

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, addresses Thursday’s (March 27) Justice Training Institute (JTI) graduation ceremony at AC Hotel by Marriott in Kingston. Sixteen JPs graduated from the JTI.

Mr. Chuck reasoned that JPs have a role to play in promoting peace across Jamaica.

“You must help in your associations to ensure that we have peace, progress and prosperity. That’s the hallmark of a Jamaica that we must be proud of,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chuck commended the newly appointed JPs for their diligence in completing the training.

He described their efforts as a solemn affirmation of their commitment to serving with integrity, fairness and an unwavering dedication to justice.

“You’ll be serving in the courts but, most importantly, you’re serving your community. As you serve your communities, think of the larger interest – Jamaica. How can we make Jamaica the ideal place for peace, progress and prosperity and where you and all Jamaicans can say Jamaica is a blessed land,” the Minister said.

During the 2024/25 fiscal year, 419 JPs were exposed to specialised training in the areas of Spirit Licensing Authority, Drug Trafficking Court, Children Court, Refresher Training and Lay Magistrates’ Court.

The JTI is the training arm of the Ministry of Justice, charged with the responsibility to provide training and staff development activities of the highest quality to build the capacity within the justice sector.

Last Updated: March 28, 2025