MONTEGO BAY, ST. JAMES
The Western Region Assize Church Service was held at a Seventh-day Adventist venue for the first time on Sabbath, September 5, 2026, as members of Jamaica’s judiciary and legal profession gathered at the West Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for the opening of the 2026 Legal Year.
Held under the theme, “Embracing Justice: Restoring Righteousness and Hope,” the service brought members of the judiciary, attorneys and specially invited guests together to seek God’s guidance for the administration of justice during the new court year. The Assize Service traditionally marks the commencement of the Michaelmas term and is held, where possible, on the Sunday immediately preceding the opening of the term.
President of the Cornwall Bar Association Michael Hemmings used the occasion to call on members of the legal profession to renew their commitment to the principles that should guide the justice system.
“Let us recommit ourselves to a justice system that is accessible, impartial, compassionate and courageous,” Hemmings said.
Chief Justice of Jamaica, the Honourable Mr. Justice Bryan Sykes, urged those involved in the administration of justice to consider how the system serves those with the least ability to advocate for themselves.
“A nation’s justice is only as strong as its willingness to be fair to those with the least standing to demand it. That is the righteousness Isaiah calls for and the righteousness this moment calls for us to embrace,” he said.
“None of this is possible by human effort alone. It is the Spirit of the Lord that anoints such work, and it is to Him we must first look for the wisdom, the mercy and the courage this season and this court year demands.”
During his address, Sykes also commended the West Jamaica Conference for its work with young people.
“I want to especially commend the West Jamaica Conference’s mentorship and scholarship programme, which has been rebuilding lives in a different but not less vital way, particularly since the hurricane, investing in young people at the very moment they would otherwise have been overlooked.”
Delivering the sermon, Pastor Adrian Cottrell, Stewardship, Possibilities Ministries, Cross-Cultural Mission and Community Services Director of the Jamaica Union Conference, encouraged members of the judiciary and legal profession to view their responsibilities as service to God.
“Serve as if you are serving Jesus; it makes a big difference. When we do this, it will give hope to everybody around you. It can be done if we follow the instruction of the prophet Micah: do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God,” Cottrell ended.
Also attending the service were the President of the Court of Appeal; the Chief Judge of the Parish Courts; judges of the Supreme Court and Parish Courts; Mrs. Tricia Cameron-Anglin, Chief Executive Officer of the Court Administration Division; the Honourable Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert, State Minister in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs; Her Honour Ms. Kelly-Ann Boyne, Senior Judge of the Hanover Parish Court; other attorneys-at-law and special guests.