Jamaica Hosts Magistrates and Judges at CMJA Conference

More than 430 delegates from 44 countries have gathered in Jamaica for the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (CMJA) 2026 Annual Conference, which brings together judges, magistrates and judicial representatives from the Commonwealth for professional engagement.

The Conference is being held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston from September 20 to 24, under the theme ‘Sustainable Justice, For Today, For Tomorrow, For All’.

It is expected to focus on key issues such as judicial independence, access to justice, international law, judicial standards and the rule of law, while providing an avenue for judicial officers to share experiences and examine approaches to these issues.

Speaking during the opening ceremony on Monday (September 21), Chief Justice Bryan Sykes, noted that Jamaica is pleased to welcome the largest organisation of judicial officers in the world.

He shared that the conference was originally planned for the western section of the island but Hurricane Melissa disrupted those plans.

“The hotels intended for the conference were severely damaged, and for two to three weeks, there was great uncertainty as to whether the conference would be held at all… but the resilience that the Prime Minister has spoken of so often came to the fore, and we were determined to have the conference…and we are now here in our capital city, Kingston,” the Chief Justice stated.

He said beyond the logistics of this conference, the occasion carries a deeper significance.

Justice Sykes said Jamaica’s selection, from among more than 50 jurisdictions, to host the conference, was not a small vote of confidence.

“It was a recognition that the judiciary of a small island developing state with modest budget, significant backlogs which we are reducing, great public expectation, and the complex demands of a developing democracy has something meaningful to contribute to the global conversation about justice,” he stated.

The Chief Justice said Jamaica has learned, often through necessity, how important it is to deliver justice that is timely, fair, accessible, and humane and, therefore, has both much to share and learn.

He noted that all jurisdictions represented at the conference have confronted challenges that others are beginning to face and have developed practices, insights, and cautions from which others can benefit.

“This is the true purpose of this conference. It is not a parade of best practices delivered from above. It is an opportunity for honest exchange among judiciaries that are striving, each in its own context, to become more effective, accessible, resilient, and more worthy of public trust,” Justice Sykes affirmed.

He noted that the Conference theme, which focuses on sustainable justice, is apt given the need for “justice that responds to the urgent needs of our people now, and also to lay the foundation for the future”.

“Let us teach freely, learn humbly, exchange honestly, and leave Jamaica having strengthened the cause of sustainable justice for today, for tomorrow, and for all,” the Chief Justice urged the visiting delegates.

In his remarks, President of the CMJA, Justice Richard Williams, thanked the Judiciary of Jamaica for fulfilling its commitment to host the Conference amid its recovery from Hurricane Melissa.

“In the most trying of circumstances, the Judiciary of Jamaica under the steerage of Chief Justice Sykes, the Government of Jamaica, the local organising committee and the wider community in Jamaica have done a truly amazing job in putting on this conference and meeting the pre-hurricane commitment made to host it,” he stated.

Justice Williams further acknowledged the fortitude of and resilience of Jamaica on its road to recovery from the devastating hurricane.

He thanked those attending the Conference for their support, noting that at last count there were 434 delegates and 78 accompanying guests from 44 countries present.