JPs Graduate from JTI to Serve in Lay Magistrates’ Court
By: March 28, 2025 ,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.

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.