Tribute from the PNP on the passing of the Justice Ian Forte

It is with profound sadness that the People’s National Party joins members of the legal fraternity and the wider Jamaican society in mourning the passing of the Honourable Mr. Justice Ian Forte, O.J., C.D., Q.C., J.P., one of Jamaica’s most distinguished jurists and public servants.

Justice Forte devoted his life to the pursuit of justice and service of his country. Throughout a legal career spanning more than four decades, he earned a reputation for intellectual prowess, unwavering integrity, and a steadfast commitment to the rule of law. His passing represents a significant loss to Jamaica and to the Caribbean legal community.

Throughout his career, he served with distinction in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, as Resident Magistrate, as one of the pioneering judicial officers of the Gun Court, and later as Director of Public Prosecutions. In each role, he demonstrated a deep commitment to fairness, impartiality, and the proper administration of justice.

His elevation to the Court of Appeal in 1988 marked the beginning of another distinguished chapter in his career. As President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Forte helped shape the development of Jamaican jurisprudence through judgments characterized by careful reasoning, sound legal principle, and an abiding respect for the Constitution. Even after his retirement from the Jamaican Bench in 2005, he continued to contribute to the administration of justice through service on the appellate courts of the Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands. He was also bestowed with the Order of Distinction and the Order of Jamaica, for his lifetime of exemplary public service. 

I extend my deepest condolences to his wife Marlene, his children, other family members, friends, former colleagues, and all members of the legal fraternity who mourn his passing.

May the Honourable Mr. Justice Ian Forte rest in eternal peace, and may his distinguished legacy continue to illuminate the path of justice in Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean.