The action is expected to affect Parish Courts, Circuit Courts and Gun Courts.

Another day of industrial action, specifically targeting the Gun Courts, is scheduled on Tuesday.

A joint statement from the Jamaican Bar Association (Jambar) and Advocates Association of Jamaica (AAJ) indicated that members had voted overwhelmingly in favour of withdrawing legal services this week.

The vote followed a silent protest on Thursday in front of the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston by association members, where they lobbied for a review of the mandatory minimum sentences applied to certain gun crimes in the 2022 law.

READ: Lawyers protest mandatory minimum sentences under Firearms Act

Maintaining that the legal fraternity does not oppose stringent measures against violent gun crime, it emphasised that the legislation as currently constructed contains structural gaps and rigid mechanics that undermine the broader legal framework.

They described “significant shortcomings, gaps and statutory weaknesses” impacting the justice system, including what the attorneys describe as the erosion of judicial discretion, the dismantling of guilty plea incentives and the practical friction with statutory sentencing discount frameworks.

A meeting was held with Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Delroy Chuck on Thursday to address the issues, but the lawyers say those discussions concluded without any definitive legislative timeline to address their concerns.

READ: Chuck to meet with protesting lawyers over Firearms Act discontent

The associations, however, urged attorneys to manage urgent remand list matters, emergency bail applications involving juveniles or vulnerable persons, and time-sensitive constitutional applications in a manner that ensures no client’s fundamental rights are prejudiced during this period.

The associations say they are again calling for urgent and meaningful legislative amendments to ensure the justice system functions efficiently for all Jamaicans.