
Bryan Sykes
Chief Justice Bryan Sykes oversees Jamaica’s judiciary and has been instrumental in implementing reforms to accelerate the clearance of court backlogs. Under his leadership, the Supreme Court has achieved notable clearance rates, demonstrating a commitment to improving efficiency and case management within the justice system.
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Recent news mentions
Chief Justice Bryan Sykes raised concerns about the impact of mandatory minimum sentences on guilty pleas.
Lawyers maintain threat to withdraw criminal court services for one week starting Monday | NewsBryan Sykes warned that the sentencing provision is acting as a disincentive for people to plead guilty for firearm offences.
Editorial | Listen to the lawyers | CommentaryChief Justice Bryan Sykes triggered the discussion about the backlog in the Gun Court.
Editorial | Unclogging the justice system | CommentaryBryan Sykes is the Chief Justice who warned about the counterproductive effects of mandatory sentences under Jamaica’s Firearms Act.
Editorial | Doubling down on bad policy | Commentary
Chief Justice Bryan Sykes postponed Brian Smith's sentencing to consider a legal authority filed by the Crown.
February trial date for Bradshaw, co-accused in murder of Paulwell’s daughter and her mother | NewsChief Justice Bryan Sykes also recently raised concerns about the impact of the sentencing regime on the efficiency of the justice system.
Chuck warns against going soft on guns | NewsChief Justice Bryan Sykes stressed the need to reduce delays, saying justice must be measured not only by the outcome of a case but by the experience of people throughout the process.
THE POWER OF SECOND CHANCES - Chuck urges non-prison penalties to support rehab, expungement | NewsChief Justice Bryan Sykes called for legislators to address judge-only trials to help alleviate court backlogs.
TB fears in lock-up | NewsChief Justice Bryan Sykes warned that the government's amendments to Jamaica's firearms law risk returning the Gun Court to a backlog of cases.
Editorial | Gun law misfires? | CommentaryChief Justice Bryan Sykes is suggested to prioritize corruption-related cases in Jamaica's Supreme Court.
Editorial | Prioritise corruption matters | CommentaryChief Justice Bryan Sykes indicated that he required more time to consider a legal authority recently filed by the Crown.
Sentencing put off for painter who pleaded guilty in murder of Paulwell’s daughter, child’s mother | NewsChief Justice Bryan Sykes established a task force to review the treatment of mentally ill inmates.
Editorial | Whither the ‘unfit to plead’ report? | CommentaryChief Justice Bryan Sykes should consider asking the government to increase the number of judges to meet the needs of all areas of the judicial system.
Editorial | Fast-track IC cases | CommentaryChief Justice Bryan Sykes stated that motorists appearing before the courts should expect demerit points and driver disqualifications where the law requires.
The law will apply to motorists appearing before the courts, says Sykes | NewsChief Justice Bryan Sykes stated that motorists appearing before the courts should continue to expect demerit points and driver disqualifications where the law requires.
Chief Justice: Traffic offenders still liable for demerit points, driver’s licence disqualification through courts | News
Chief Justice Bryan Sykes gave Silvera 20 years for manslaughter and 20 years and 10 months for using a firearm to commit an offence.
Former Jamaica MP gets 21 years for killing wifeChief Justice Bryan Sykes sentenced Jolyan Silvera to 20 years and 10 months in prison for manslaughter.
‘Justice was done’ | NewsChief Justice Bryan Sykes presided over the sentencing of Jolyan Silvera for manslaughter.
Sykes: Silvera made ‘strategic’ guilty plea | NewsChief Justice Bryan Sykes gave Silvera 20 years for manslaughter and 20 years and 10 months for using a firearm to commit an offence.
Former PNP MP Jolyan Silvera get 20 years and 10 months in prison for killing his wife | NewsChief Justice Bryan Sykes is to hand down the sentence.
Former PNP MP Jolyan Silvera to be sentenced today for wife’s killing | NewsChief Justice Bryan Sykes is working to increase trial capacity in Westmoreland following damage from Hurricane Melissa.
Steps being taken to increase courtroom space in Westmoreland | NewsChief Justice Bryan Sykes said that Judge Ashley's untimely death has deeply shaken the judiciary.
Judiciary 'shaken' following death of Parish Court Judge Sasha-Marie Ashley, says Chief Justice | News
Chief Justice Bryan Sykes made comments regarding the interpretation of the law by judges.
‘Nobody can dictate to judges’ – Jamaica Chief Justice
Bryan Sykes is the Chief Justice who defended the independence of judges in interpreting the law.
‘Nobody can dictate to judges’ | News
Chief Justice Bryan Sykes presided over the trial of Jolyan Silvera.
Full Text | DPP explains how provocation changed Silvera's murder case to manslaughter | NewsChief Justice Bryan Sykes presided over the court proceedings involving Jolyan Silvera.
PRAYING FOR JUSTICE | Lead StoriesChief Justice Bryan Sykes handed down the decision regarding Silvera's plea.
Gun Court accepts Jolyan Silvera’s guilty plea, to be sentenced in March | NewsChief Justice Bryan Sykes is expected to deliver a ruling on the guilty plea.
Sykes to rule on plea as Silvera blames provocation for wife’s death | Lead StoriesThe matter was set to begin trial before Chief Justice Bryan Sykes in the Gun Court in Kingston.
NEW TWIST | Lead StoriesThe trial was set to start before Chief Justice Bryan Sykes in the Gun Court in Kingston.
Jolyan Silvera, the ex-PNP MP charged with wife's murder, pleads guilty to manslaughter | News
















































