About Us

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Welcome to Garfield Law Office where you will be guaranteed service… service… service…

I am Garfield Whyte, and I have a varied background in law, marketing and corporate communications. Prior to my legal career I worked in the banking sector for approximately sixteen years. My last banking position was senior marketing manager with Scotiabank. After graduating from the prestigious Munro College, an all-boys boarding high school, I later pursued a bachelor’s degree in geography and social sciences from the University of the West Indies, a master’s degree in business administration from the Nova Southeastern University in Florida, USA. Still not satisfied with my academic achievements, I went on to complete a law degree from the University of London before going unto the Norman Manley law School for the Bar examinations. Other courses include, the bar Course & E-Commerce courses in Canada, Intellectual Property certificate with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Real Estate Salesman and Real Estate Broker Courses in Jamaica.

I was called to the bar in 2000 and my varied background augurs well, as many times I am able to add a new perspective to my legal advice because of my banking background at the management level.

At Garfield Law Office we never take any of our clients for granted as there are so many other firms at your disposal, so I consider you being my client a privilege. We are not only interested in fees… we build lasting relationships as our client base is built on trust, a valued belief in relationships and of course, service which is the pillar on which this practice rests. We know that satisfied clients will return and undoubtedly send referrals.

This practice is limited to:

~ Real Estate law:

Whether you are buying or selling,

Replacing lost title,

Modification of restrictive covenants,

Obtaining title for land that is unregistered (some properties in Jamaica don’t have registered titles),

Sub divisions,

Developments

~ Probate and Administration of Estates:

Whether the deceased had a Will or died without one.

~ Contracts: it’s always important to put your agreements and arrangements in writing – never leave it to chance by having verbal agreements,

~ Preparing and registering Power of Attorney (POA)

~ Company Formation

~ Intellectual Property

~ Written Opinions: there are times when you will need to know what you are up against or what your options are within the confines of the law. So, it is always important to have proper legal guidance to decide how to move forward.

Never leave your affairs to chance.

This practice is built on service… service… service!

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Useful Tips

Just to let you know

Useful Tips

Useful Tips when purchasing or selling real estate in Jamaica

Government Taxes are paid on real estate sales. Usually on the selling price HOWEVER the Stamp Commissioner’s office where all sale agreements are assessed, may assess on a higher value than the selling price if that office believes the selling price is lower than it should be. If this happens and the parties decide to still go ahead for their agreed price then the Stamp office would only require the additional transfer tax on the price they think it should be sold for, usually the purchaser pays that additional amount depending on what the parties agreed to in their agreement for sale

For example, if a property is being sold for $2 million, the transfer tax is $40,000.00, if the Stamp office asses it at $3M then the additional transfer tax is $20,000.00 even though the parties still agree for the sale to continue at $2m.

Government Taxes for a Vendor (subject to change by Government of Jamaica)

- 2% for Transfer Tax

- a flat rate of $2,500.00 for Stamp duty

- 0.25% for Registration fee at the titles office

Government Taxes for a Purchaser (subject to change by government of Jamaica)

- a flat rate of $2,500.00 for Stamp duty

- 0.25% for Registration fee at the titles office

For purchasers taking a mortgage you must check with your loan officer about applicable fees.

Links You May Find Useful

You may find these links useful and you are required to read our Disclaimer and Terms of Use especially the paragraph sub-headed “Links”.

Ownership of Real Estate

When more than one person is purchasing real estate it is important to have a lawyer discuss with you whether you should own the property as (a) Joint Tenants, or (b) Tenants in common. This importance cannot be overemphasized.

Importance of Writing a Will

The simple reason is that by writing your Will, only you can decide how your property is distributed upon your death. If no, then the government will decide for you. Frankly, if you love your family members then don’t leave them in a state of indecision.

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Just to let you know

My professional life also transcends law as I have authored five (5) books; Feelings an environmental photography and poetry book, Nostalgia from: A City Set Upon a Hill, my memoir about life at Munro College, my all- boys boarding high school, TJ’s Last Summer in Cape Cod, a novel that will make you want to be 18 again, Fate is my Name

I have also dabbled into screenwriting having authored three (3) screenplays for which I am seeking a producer/financier.

My interests are varied, inter alia, environmental photography, hiking, NBA, tennis, football, athletics, poetry, true to life movies, sentimental novels and music (particularly old school music whether it be gospel, instrumental, pop, vintage reggae, soul R&B and country).

A tennis and basketball fanatic who has a passion for the environment.

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Privacy Policy

DISCLAIMER and TERMS OF USE

Acceptance. This Terms of Use Agreement ("Agreement") is a legal agreement between you and Garfield law office, the owner and operator of this Web site (the "Web site"). It states the Terms and Conditions under which you may access and use the Web site. By accessing and using the Web site, you are indicating your acceptance to be bound by the Terms and Conditions of this Agreement. If you do not accept these Terms and Conditions, you must not access or use the Web site. Garfield law office may revise this Agreement at any time by updating this posting. Use of the Web site after such changes are posted will signify your acceptance of these revised terms. You should visit this page periodically to review this Agreement.

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Security. Any information sent or received over the Internet is generally not secure. Garfield law office cannot guarantee security of any communication to or from the Web site.

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If any term or provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, it shall be severed and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force without being invalidated in any way.