Retired Court of Appeal President Justice Ian Forte has died at age 89.

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), in expressing sadness at his passing on Friday, described Forte as a distinguished jurist whose contributions helped shape Jamaica's legal system and wider Commonwealth jurisprudence.

The governing party also extended condolences to Forte's family, particularly his widow, Marlene Malahoo Forte, Member of Parliament for St James West Central and former Cabinet minister.