Justice Minister wants law for persons without titles to acquire lands

Justice Minister, Senator Mark Golding, says a law is needed to allow Jamaicans who occupy lands for extended periods to acquire the title to the property.

Speaking earlier this week at a Jamaica Employers' Federation event, Golding did not outline exactly what that law would include but he said he is interested in pursuing the legislation.  

According to Senator Golding, such a law would help the many families in Jamaica living in "yards" for many years.

He argues that some people living on lands for long periods without titles, pay small amounts of rent, build on the property but cannot get the legal document. 

He argues that on the other hand, the titled owner of the entire yard has a property, which has multiple families living on it.

Senator Golding says those families will never be able to sell or mortgage the piece of property on which they live.

As a result, he says the land is effectively sterilised in terms of its economic potential.

Minister Golding says the Government recognises that land reform and titling are critical for economic and social development in the country.

Currently, Jamaica's laws allow persons illegally living on private lands for a minimum of 12 years to apply to the courts for possession of the property.