An Introduction to Jamaican Legal Research Part of the American and Caribbean Law Initiative (ACLI) Research Guide Series Created by R. Martin Witt, 4/09 1

Presentation Focus Primary materials from each of the three branches of government. Executive Legislative Judicial Both print and electronic access (where available). 2

Constitution of Jamaica (1962) 3 Select Print Sources: Physical copy Select Free Digital Sources: Political Database of the Americas (hosted by Georgetown University) – Link Political Database of the Americas (hosted by Georgetown University) – Link The World Intellectual Property Organization – Link The World Intellectual Property Organization – Link Jamaica Labour Party / Building a Better Jamaica – Link Jamaica Labour Party / Building a Better Jamaica – Link The International Committee of the Red Cross – Link The International Committee of the Red Cross – Link

Executive & Legislative Regulations and Laws 4 Select Print Sources: The Jamaica Gazette & The Jamaica Gazette Supplement The Laws of Jamaica / revised and compiled under the authority of the Law Revision Act, 1969, by L. Robinson. Select Free Digital Sources: Ministry of Justice – Link Ministry of Justice – Link Jamaica Houses of Parliament – Link Jamaica Houses of Parliament – Link The Jamaica Gazette Online – Link The Jamaica Gazette Online – Link The website of the relevant Ministry or Agency – Link to list. The website of the relevant Ministry or Agency – Link to list. Example: Ministry of Finance and the Public Service – Link Example: Ministry of Finance and the Public Service – Link

Judicial (Rules/Practice Directions) 5 Select Print Sources: Civil Procedure Rules 2002 Court of Appeal Rules 2002 Select Free Digital Sources: Practice Directions for the Supreme Court – LinkLink Select Parts of the Civil Procedure Rules 2002 – Link 1; Link 2Link 1Link 2 Practice Directions for the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council – LinkLink

Judicial (Case Law) 6 Select Print Sources (Case Law): The Jamaica Law Reports The West Indian Reports Select Free Digital Sources (Case Law): The Supreme Court of Jamaica – Link The Supreme Court of Jamaica – Link World Legal Information Institute (WorldLII) Court of Appeal of Jamaica – Link Court of Appeal of Jamaica – Link Supreme Court of Jamaica – Link Supreme Court of Jamaica – Link Privy Council Decisions – Link Privy Council Decisions – Link Privy Council Office – Link (up to 8/09); Link (9/09 – Present) Privy Council Office – Link (up to 8/09); Link (9/09 – Present) Norman Manley Law School – Link Norman Manley Law School – Link

Westlaw/Lexis Neither publisher has much information for Jamaica, either primary or secondary. West Indian Reports – Both Law Reports, Privy Council – Both Jamaica Law Reports – Neither Statutes from Jamaica – Neither Regulations from Jamaica - Neither 7

Conclusion & Questions 8