# FAQs and Legal Definitions

## Court and Procedure

### Parish Court

An inferior court of record in Jamaica with statutory jurisdiction over many civil and criminal matters. Parish Courts try some cases summarily and on indictment, with lower sanction limits than the Supreme Court.

### Supreme Court

The superior court of record in Jamaica with broad original jurisdiction over civil, criminal, constitutional, commercial, probate, and other serious matters arising within Jamaica.

### Court of Appeal

Jamaica's highest local appellate court. It hears appeals from decisions of lower courts and may be a necessary stage before any final appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

### Judicial Committee of the Privy Council

The final appellate court for Jamaica where applicable. Appeals usually require leave and are reserved for matters meeting the relevant legal thresholds.

### Judicial Review

A public-law process by which the Supreme Court reviews the legality, fairness, rationality, or procedural propriety of decisions by public authorities.

### Charter Claim

A constitutional claim alleging infringement of rights protected by Jamaica's Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.

## Litigation and Advisory

### Bail Application

An application for release from custody pending trial or further proceedings, usually supported by proposed conditions, sureties, and evidence addressing flight risk and public-safety concerns.

### Injunction

A court order compelling a party to do, or refrain from doing, a specific act. Injunctions are often urgent and may preserve property, assets, confidentiality, or commercial rights.

### Fiduciary Duty

A duty of loyalty, good faith, and proper purpose owed by a person entrusted with another's interests, such as a director, trustee, agent, or adviser.

### Probate

The legal process by which a will is proved and an executor is authorized to administer the deceased person's estate.