Tavares-Finson welcomes free UK visas for Privy Council appellants

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Government Senator Christian Tavares-Finson is welcoming an announcement that Commonwealth citizens, including appellants and their legal teams who are required to travel to London to attend proceedings of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC), can now access a free, streamlined visa application process.

According to Tavares-Finson, in a press release, the development is timely and augurs well for access to justice at the highest level.

“I am aware of concerns from some litigants about costs associated with accessing various levels of Jamaica’s appellate courts. Consequently, the announcement that Commonwealth citizens travelling to London to participate in Judicial Committee of the Privy Council proceedings can now access a free, streamlined visa application process is no doubt a positive development which has favourable implications for Jamaicans,” he said.