Library

Although the exact date of establishment of the Law Library of the Supreme Court of Judicature has not been determined, it appears to have been existence in 1879 and may therefore be the oldest special library in Jamaica

The Library is the focal point for the Legal Information Network (LINET) which comprises all court libraries, libraries of legal departments, law firm libraries and libraries of institutions associated with the law, legislation and the administration of justice. LINET is one of several library and information networks which fall under the umbrella of the National Library of Jamaica in the Second Plan for a National Documentation, Information and Library System for Jamaica (1986)

Since 1982, and with a staff complement of six persons, the Library has been housed on the second floor of the Supreme Court building, and is administered by a Library Committee consisting of a Judge of the Court of Appeal, a Judge of the Supreme Court, representatives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Attorney General’s Department, two members of the private Bar, the Registrar of the Supreme Court and the Chief Librarian.

Its clientele includes the Judiciary, Parish Court Judges, Attorneys-at –Law in public and private practice as well as law students from the University of the West Indies and the Norman Manley Law School. Other students are allowed the use of the Library if the material that is required is unavailable elsewhere.

Services include, access to the library’s databases, literature searches, handling of queries by telephone, e-mail or via library visits, photocopying, loans, interlibrary lending and a subscription service to the unreported judgments of the Courts.

The Library is an active member of the Caribbean Association of Law Libraries (CARALL) which meets annually in one of the several islands of the English-speaking Caribbean. It is also holds professional membership in the British and Irish Association of Law Libraries (BIALL) and the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). 

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Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan for the Jamaican Judiciary 2019-2023