Jamaica's Administrative Structure

 

International Country Code:	JM
Type of Government:	Parliamentary Democracy
Capital:	Kingston
Administrative Divisions:	14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, St. Andrew, St. Ann, St. Catherine, St. Elizabeth, St. James, St. Mary, St. Thomas, Trelawny, and Westmoreland.
Independence:	6 August 1962 (from UK)
Legal System:	Based on English Common Law.
Suffrage:	18 years of age; universal.
Executive Branch:	Head of State: QUEEN ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by a Governor General. His Excellency The Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, ON, GCMG, CD,  the current holder has held this office since February 26th, 2009.
	Head of Government: Prime Minister. The Hon. Bruce Golding  has held this office since September 11th, 2007.
	Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Legislative Branch:	Bi-cameral Parliament
	Senate: Consists of a 21-member body appointed by the Governor General. 13 persons on the advice of the Prime Minister and 8 persons on the recommendation of the Leader of The Opposition.
	House of Representatives: Consists of 60 elected officials from a General Election. (last held 3rd September 2007.)
Judicial Branch:	Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (Great Britain) Court of Appeal of Jamaica. The Supreme Court of Jamaica, Resident Magistrates Courts, Petty Sessions Courts.