Legislation

Jamaicans can legally access less than 1 percent of their own 494-mile coastline under a 1956 law. Even the hotel industry now backs reform, but a new 2026 policy still stops short of guaranteeing the right.

Priest and columnist Dr Raulston Nembhard argues that a law letting occupiers claim private land after 12 years, against 60 years for Crown land, is unjust, and urges the State to release idle public land for housing instead.

After the Coopers Pen demolitions, Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship president Helene Coley Nicholson urged a non-partisan national land policy, emergency help for displaced families, and an end to politicians enabling squatting for partisan gain.

After the Coopers Pen demolitions, Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship president Helene Coley Nicholson urged a non-partisan national land policy, emergency help for displaced families, and an end to politicians enabling squatting for partisan gain.

70 percent of $370 billion in Jamaican public body contracts skipped competitive bidding last year, using single-source or emergency procurement instead. The Integrity Commission itself raised the pattern publicly.

70 percent of $370 billion in Jamaican public body contracts skipped competitive bidding last year, using single-source or emergency procurement instead. The Integrity Commission itself raised the pattern publicly.

Virginia’s new Faith in Housing Act eliminates rezoning entirely for churches building affordable housing on their own land, the most aggressive YIGBY law yet. Early results elsewhere suggest legal clearance alone doesnt guarantee construction.

Jamaica’s gated communities have operated for years without the legal enforcement powers strata apartment buildings have had since 1969. A new bill would close that gap, with real penalties for non-payment.

A Christian lawmaker in Pakistan’s Punjab introduced a bill barring the sale, lease or mortgage of church and minority communal property without government approval, with prison terms of up to seven years for violations.

Michigan churches are building homes, from Battle Creek’s grant-funded houses selling below cost to a $13 million Grand Rapids plan, while advocates call for state ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ legislation.

England just overhauled tenant protections. Jamaica already has one of the more interventionist rental frameworks in the Commonwealth on paper, the real question is enforcement.

England just overhauled tenant protections. Jamaica already has one of the more interventionist rental frameworks in the Commonwealth on paper, the real question is enforcement.

Hurricane Melissa left sand, gravel and stone scattered across Jamaica, but taking it without a licence is still a criminal offence carrying fines up to $1 million. What the law actually says about storm-displaced material.

A Liberian court ruled that the United Methodist Church’s worship centres, schools and hospitals stay with the UMC, finding that the breakaway Global Methodist Church forfeited any interest when it disaffiliated.

Cayman’s Churches Incorporation (Amendment) Act 2025 is now in force, requiring boards of officers, ensuring church assets serve only church purposes and updating property provisions, as the territory prepares for a 2027 financial crimes evaluation.