The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona Campus’ Faculty of Law was host this Monday to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (MoJCA) who handed over 300 printed copies of the newly consolidated Constitution of Jamaica to first-year constitutional law students. The presentation was made yesterday by Minister of State, Hon. Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert. The President of the Mona Law Society, Malieck Kirton, received the gift of behalf of the students.

Professor Tracy Robinson, who teaches constitutional law, welcomed Minister Dalrymple-Philbert back to The UWI Mona, where she began her studies in law, and she noted that The UWI has been a centre of excellence in the study of Caribbean constitutional law since the 1970, when the Faculty of Law was inaugurated at The UWI.

Professor Robinson thanked the Minister and the Ministry for the generous gift to the students. She said that if a constitution is, as the late Professor Simeon McIntosh put it, ‘a plan for ordering our political life, an articulation of the values that support what we think is a good life and justice, and the institutions by means of which we can achieve this’, then few other texts can be more important in the study of law and for the people of Jamaica and the Caribbean, than our Constitutions.
In her remarks to the constitutional law students, Minister Dalrymple-Philibert highlighted the comprehensive consolidation of the Jamaica Constitution with all amendments from 1962 to the present, as ensuring students, legal practitioners, policymakers, and members of the public are all working from the same accurate and up-to-date foundation.

The Minister of State emphasized that accuracy is essential to meaningful legal study, informed discussion, and credible engagement with constitutional reform. She also reminded students that the Constitution is not static, but a living framework that must be studied, questioned, debated, and, where necessary, reimagined. She voiced a hope that the consolidated Constitution will serve not only as a reference tool, but also as an invitation—particularly at this juncture in Jamaica’s history—for critical engagement and thoughtful contribution to the nation’s constitutional and legal future, especially as this text demonstrates that collaboration as even ‘young minds’ such as the students in attendance helped in the development of this latest Constitution.

President of the Mona Law Society, Mr. Malieck Kirton, expressed gratitude to the Ministry for the donation. He pointed out that the initiative is especially meaningful for first-year students commencing constitutional law, who will now have immediate access to the document without the cost or inconvenience of sourcing it elsewhere.

Also on hand to witness and receive this valuable gift was Dr. Coleen Lewis, Deputy Dean, Undergraduate Studies and Student Success and Ms. Myrna Douglas, Law Librarian and Head of the Law Branch Library, The UWI Mona Campus Library.