Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson, who was intimately involved in the drafting of the Jamaican Constitution will on June 5, 2024, share his firsthand experience and invaluable politico-legal perspective about the Constitution, as calls for constitutional reform reach another fever pitch on the island.

This critical reasoning event comes at a time when debates about the role of the monarchy and the potential for Jamaica to become a Republic have once again been placed on the front burner. The event, titled "A Reasoning with the Most Honorable PJ Patterson about the Jamaican Constitution", takes place at 2:00 pm at the Faculty of Law, Law Lecture Theatre 11, The UWI, Mona Campus.  

A bipartisan committee within Jamaica's legislature collaborated from 1961 to 1962 to draft the Constitution. This Constitution, including, in particular, the arrangements for governance established under it, which is a cornerstone of Jamaican independence, secured approval in the United Kingdom (UK) and was implemented as the Jamaica (Constitution) Order in Council, 1962. 

Dr Christopher Malcom, Deputy Dean, MonaLaw, will moderate the reasoning which will include an exploration of the history, and circumstances that informed the content of the Constitution, as drafted in 1962. In his presentation, Mr. Patterson will also explore challenges that have been associated with reform efforts since 1962.

"Mr. Patterson was at Lancaster House at the time of the making of the Constitution. He was involved in the process, observed room and other dynamics, and is the only person alive today, certainly in Jamaica, who can speak from a position of certain knowledge about the process that led to the implementation of the Jamaica Constitution," Dr Malcolm said.

Mr. Patterson's presentation will be followed by a Question and Answer session, which will also be moderated by Dr Malcolm.

Registration for the Reasoning begins at 1:30 pm and ends at 1:55 pm.