Conference Programme

 CMJA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
KINGSTON, JAMAICA

20-24 September 2026

“SUSTAINABLE JUSTICE: FOR TODAY, FOR TOMORROW, FOR ALL”

PROGRAMME
Subject to change
As of   1 April 2026 

SUNDAY 20th SEPTEMBER
9:30-16:00 Council Meeting (Attendance by invitation only)
10:30-12:30 Chief Justices’ Meeting (Attendance by invitation only)
12.30-13.30 Lunch Council and Chief Justices  (by invitation only)
14.00-18:00 Registration
18:30-20.00 Conference Welcome Reception

MONDAY 21st SEPTEMBER
8:00

Registration continues
8.45

Everyone to be seated in main hall in readiness for opening ceremony
9:00-10:15 Session 1: 
Opening Ceremony:
National Anthem
1. Welcome by host Chief Justice
2. Welcome by President CMJA
3. Cultural Show
4. Opening Speech
5. CONFERENCE PHOTOGRAPH
10:15-11:00 TEA BREAK
11:00-11:30 Introduction:

Judge Shamim Qureshi, Director of Programmes CMJA
Presentation on CMJA Membership
11:30-12:45 Session 2: Keynote Speech:   Theme Title
“Sustainable Justice: for today, for tomorrow, for all”
Keynote Speaker:  Chief Justice Bryan Sykes, Jamaica
12:45-14:00 LUNCH
14:00-15:15 Session 3: Concurrent Panel session:

3a: “Data-driven justice: improving performance and enhancing accountability?”
3b: “Open Justice versus Privacy in the Courts”
15:15-15:45 TEA BREAK
15:45-17:00 Session 4: Specialist Groups Session:
Group 4a:  “Challenges to Arbitral Awards”
Group 4b:  “Coroners and Pirates: Bodies, Wrecks and Treasures”
Group 4c:   “The Lay Magistracy: Surviving 800 years of Change”
Group 4d:  “Conflicting Rights of the Child and the Parents”
Group 4e:  “Military Justice- What next?”
Group 4 f:  “Admiralty: Crooked Captains, Escaping Ships”
Evening

 

 

 

 

 TBA

 

 

TUESDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER
9.00 Announcement of the 2027 Conference.
Notices from Director of Programmes.
9.15-10.45 Session 5: Panel Session:

“ Is Justice Dysfunctional, on its knees with chronic underfunding?”
10:45-11:15 TEA BREAK
11:15-12:45

 

 Session 6: Concurrent Panel Session:

6a: “Judicial Bullying and Harassment: Could it happen to you?”
6b: “ Is Environmental Justice no match for multi-national corporations?”
12:45-14:00 LUNCH
14:00-15:15 Session 7: Panel Session: Gender Section Meeting

“Understanding and Dealing with GBV”

15:15-15:45 TEA BREAK
15:45-17:00 Session 8:  Breakout Discussion Groups:
“Are you on a daily diet of vulnerable witnesses or awkward litigants?Group 8a  
Group 8b
Group 8c 
Group 8d
Group 8e
Group 8f
Evening TBA

WEDNESDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER
9.00 CMJA Endowment Fund –

Update on the UNODC Global Judicial Integrity Network- Justice Lynne Leitch, Canada

Notices from Director of Programmes.
9:15-10:45 Session 9: Panel Session:

“Current tensions between Judicial Independence and the Rule of Law”
10:45-11:15 TEA BREAK
11:15-12:45 Session 10: Breakout Discussion Group:

“Protecting Ourselves from Online and Physical Threats”

Group 10a: 

Group 10b
Group 10c
Group 10d
Group 10e
Group 10f
12:45-14:00 LUNCH
14:00-15:00 Session 11: Panel Session:
“Judicial Wellness: mental health and physical health”
1500-16.00 Session 12: Learning Session
“Writing Judgments not novels”
16:00-16:30 Session 13: Close of conference:
Director of Programmes
President of CMJA
1930-2300 GALA DINNER

THURSDAY 24th SEPTEMBER
DAY TRIP (optional)

A Coffee Tour to Craigton Coffee Plantation to  see how the world famous Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is made.

A trip to the Bob Marley Museum

on the site of the legendary musician’s home. This house was Marley’s home.

There will also be a visit to  Devon House One of Jamaica’s most celebrated historic landmarks, the Devon House Mansion is the architectural dream of Jamaica’s first black millionaire, George Stiebel. Having gained his wealth from gold mining in South America, Stiebel was among three wealthy Jamaicans who constructed elaborate homes during the late 19th century