King Charles III has referred Jamaica’s historic slavery reparations petition to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, allowing three major legal questions surrounding slavery and Britain’s responsibility to be considered.
Culture Minister Olivia Grange announced the development in Jamaica’s House of Representatives on September 22, describing the referral as a major step in the country’s reparations effort.
Olivia Grange
HERE’S THE BREAKDOWN
Jamaica filed the petition on September 7, 2026, asking King Charles, Jamaica’s head of state, to refer three legal questions to the Privy Council.
King Charles has now agreed to make that referral. This does not mean that reparations have been approved or that Britain has been ordered to pay Jamaica.
The first question asks whether the enslavement of Africans in Jamaica was lawful under English law.
The second asks whether the forced transportation and enslavement of Africans breached international law, including prohibitions relating to slavery, torture, racial discrimination and crimes against humanity.
The third asks whether the United Kingdom has a legal obligation to provide a reparatory remedy to Jamaica for slavery and its continuing effects.
Jamaica’s petition does not demand a specific amount of money. Grange previously stressed that no monetary figure was included in the filing.
The UK government has maintained its position against paying slavery reparations. Earlier in September, Downing Street said the UK “does not and will not make reparations.”
WHY THIS MATTERS
The referral moves Jamaica’s campaign beyond simply asking King Charles to consider the petition. The legal questions will now go before the Privy Council for consideration.
However, a Privy Council opinion would not automatically require the British government to pay reparations.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
According to Grange, Jamaica is waiting for directions from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council on how the matter will proceed.
She said Jamaica’s Attorney General is preparing to handle the case, and the Government intends to present its arguments before the court. Cabinet and Parliament are expected to receive further updates as the process develops.
