Senate gives nod to Mediation Bill

THE Mediation Bill, 2026, which formalises the use of alternative dispute resolution in the criminal justice system, received bipartisan support during its passage in the Senate on Friday.

In piloting the Bill, Leader of Government Business in the Senate Kamina Johnson Smith noted that, while mediation takes place in Jamaica, “the framework within which it is offered has long needed streamlining and strengthening in order to harness its full potential”.

“This Bill seeks to establish a comprehensive framework governing the conduct of mediation in Jamaica. It provides for the registration of mediators, the licensing and regulation of mediation providers for continuing professional development, and the establishment of the necessary institutional machinery,” said Johnson Smith.