Lord Reed | Accessibility is not limited to where the JCPC sits

Response to ‘The Gleaner’s’ editorial of September 18 titled

‘Fee waiver changes little’”.

Inviting distinguished judges from the jurisdictions we serve is a valued and longstanding part of the JCPC’s history. From 1912 to 1949 when India established its own apex court, there was a more or less unbroken presence of a judge from India on the Privy Council. Eminent judges from the Caribbean who have sat on the JCPC (Judicial Committee of the Privy Council) include Sir Hugh Wooding and the Rt Hon Telford Georges. As your newspaper highlighted, Sir Edward Zacca, who was at one time the Chief Justice of Jamaica and later the president of the Court of Appeal of The Bahamas, sat on the Privy Council between 1993 and 2004.

That tradition continues.

Since 2024, we have had the privilege of Dame Janice Pereira, a former

chief justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, sitting on the JCPC, both in London and remotely in hybrid hearings. Sir Anthony Smellie sat on the JCPC in January 2026 in London, and has since continued to sit virtually. Sir Anthony was admitted to practice as an attorney-at-law in Jamaica and is the retired chief justice of the Cayman Islands and currently sits on the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal.

Having the benefit of the opinion of such distinguished judges enhances the quality of the JCPC’s decision-making and I remain fully committed to continuing this important tradition.

We are equally committed to ensuring that the JCPC is accessible to the jurisdictions and people it serves. During my time on the court, we have sat in Mauritius, in The Bahamas and The Cayman Islands, and we will sit in Bermuda in 2027. These visits have been invaluable in deepening relationships and understanding, and in demonstrating the importance we attach to remaining closely connected to the jurisdictions we serve.

Accessibility is not limited to where the JCPC sits. Counsel and parties may participate in hearings remotely, avoiding the time and expense of travelling to London. All hearings held in London are livestreamed and remain available to watch online, making it easy for people in Jamaica and elsewhere to see the court at work.

Please allow me to conclude ... with the sentiment I expressed in my letter to your newspaper in 2023. My colleagues and I regard it is an honour to serve the people of Jamaica as your highest court. This is a significant responsibility and one that we take very seriously. The decision on whether to retain the JCPC is entirely one for the Jamaican government and people. We will continue to consider it a privilege to serve as the final court of appeal unless and until Jamaica decides otherwise.

Lord Reed, president of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com