Bio

MARLENE MALAHOO FORTE, KC, MP, JP, was appointed Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs in January 2022.

Prior to that appointment, she became the Honourable Attorney General of Jamaica, when the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Andrew Holness-led Cabinet was sworn into office on 2016 March 7.  She is a third term legislator who has served in both Houses of Parliament of Jamaica:

• Now as the elected Member of Parliament for the Constituency of Saint James West Central.
• Previously as Opposition Senator and Shadow Minister of Health between 2012 January and 2016 February.
• Earlier, as Government Senator and State Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade between 2009 July and 2011 December.

She has had a distinguished legal career at both Bars (public and private) and Bench.

Highly regarded as a formidable, fair and fearless prosecutor in her time in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, with an enviable success rate in the trial and appellate courts.

Well remembered and respected as a no-nonsense judge of the RM Courts, who was a strong advocate for reform of Jamaica’s Justice Sector and Teacher of the Law. Later, as Consultant Counsel, she has also successfully appeared at all levels of the courts, including before the Judicial Committee of Her Majesty’s Privy Council in England.

Ms. Malahoo Forte holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) Degree & Diploma in Public Policy and Management from Harvard University (USA), a Master of Law (LLM) Degree (Commonwealth Scholar) from King’s College London (UK), a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) from the University of the West Indies (Barbados), a Certificate of Legal Education from the Norman Manley Law School (Jamaica) and Diploma in International Arbitration and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (London, England).  She is also a Yale World Fellow and alum of Yale University (USA) and former head girl of Manning’s School (Westmoreland, Jamaica).

Recognized and honoured internationally, regionally and nationally as a high achiever, who finds time for volunteerism. Named Young Global Leader (2010) by the World Economic Forum.  Top Young Person in the West Indies (2010) by Junior Chamber International.

Kiwanis Club of New Kingston Vueve Clicquot Professional Woman of Excellence and Bigga High Achiever in the Legal & Justice System.  A past Chairman of United Way’s Women’s Leadership Initiative.

The Hon. Attorney General is a member of the Legislation, Economic Development and Privatisation Committees of Cabinet and also attends its Human Resource, International Relations & Trade, Public Order and Public Sector Transformation Committees, as well as the Infrastructure Sub-committee of the Economic Development Committee.