British High Commissioner to Jamaica welcomes free visa application process for persons appearing before Privy Council

September 11, 2026

British High Commissioner to Jamaica, Alicia Herbert, has welcomed the introduction of a new free and streamlined UK visa application process for litigants and legal teams appearing before the UK’s Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) in London.

The High Commissioner’s comments follow the announcement of the new arrangement, which has received significant attention in Jamaica and has been welcomed as a positive development for Jamaicans whose matters come before the Privy Council.

In a statement she described it as a positive step that responds to longstanding concerns raised by Jamaicans.

The High Commissioner said she looks forward to working with all relevant stakeholders to support its smooth implementation.

She stated that this further reflects the shared commitment to support meaningful access to justice.

Under the new process, once a JCPC hearing date has been confirmed, counsel will use the court’s case management portal to identify those attending the hearing in person and indicate which participants require a visa.

The JCPC will confirm an applicant’s connection to the case and provide an invitation letter and further guidance on the visa application process.

Visa applications will continue to undergo the usual checks, and the UK Home Office may request additional information in some circumstances.

The statement said the new arrangement comes amid longstanding discussions between Jamaica and the UK around the ability of litigants and their legal representatives to travel to the United Kingdom to participate in Privy Council proceedings.