Jamaica’s House of Representatives has enacted landmark legislation to substantially improve financial compensation for citizens participating in the judicial system. The Jury (Amendment) Bill, successfully passed on Tuesday with eight revisions, mandates a tripling of daily juror payments from $2,000 to $6,000 for each day of service in civil or criminal proceedings.
The legislative overhaul extends beyond seated jurors to address systemic participation barriers. Individuals summoned for jury selection who aren’t ultimately chosen will now receive guaranteed compensation of $2,000 per day for their court attendance during the selection process—a provision previously absent from Jamaica’s judicial framework.
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Delroy Chuck provided critical clarification regarding the bill’s scope during closing deliberations. In response to parliamentary concerns, the government strategically excised provisions addressing jury tampering from the current legislation. Minister Chuck acknowledged that despite attempted refinements, the tampering provisions required additional legal precision and would be referred to Parliament’s Joint Select Committee on the Jury Act for comprehensive review.
The Jamaica Information Service reports this compensation adjustment represents the most significant improvement to juror remuneration in recent history, potentially enhancing civic participation in legal processes while acknowledging the substantial time commitment required of judicial participants.