The following is a statement from the Honourable Attorney General Patrick Atkinson, Q.C.. The statement reads: “It is with deep concern that I have heard the reports of serious criminal charges being laid against members of the Bar, including some senior attorneys at law. I recognize that, like any other citizen, they are entitled to the presumption of innocence. Nonetheless,...

Prime Minister the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller is calling for Jamaicans at all levels of society to see the protection and education of the nation’s children as the responsibility of all. The Prime Minister’s appeal came as she addressed the official opening and naming of the new Hanover Co-operative Credit Union (HCCU) building in Lucea, Hanover on Thursday April...

Justice Minister, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, says the Government is aiming to create an inclusive framework for the operation of the medical marijuana industry. He said the system will be designed in a way to allow for small farmers to operate within a lawful industry. “We don’t want a design, which is going to be prohibitive in terms of...

The Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 2015 was passed by both Houses of Parliament in February this year.   The Ministry of Justice wishes to advise as follows: (1) Notification of the Governor General’s assent to the Act has been published in the Gazette; and (2) The Minister of Justice will bring the Act into operation, by a notice published in...

Certificates have been awarded to 57 Justices of the Peace (JPs) who successfully completed the Specialized Training for the Court of Petty Sessions, which covered a wide range of court procedures. The additional training of the JPs was recommended by the Justice System Reform Task Force (JSRTF), which reviewed the justice system in 2006. The certificates were handed out during...

It was in 2011 that Montego Bay resident Allan Johnson*, sold his motor vehicle to a close friend and co-worker. Mr. Johnson tells JIS News that the friend made an initial payment, but failed to pay the balance within the agreed timeframe. After a warning letter from Mr. Johnson’s lawyer, the friend paid over a small sum but did not...

Justice Minister, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, has hailed the country’s judiciary for playing a “most important constitutional role” in settling the matter arising from the dismissal of Arthur Williams and Dr. Christopher Tufton from the Senate. He was speaking in the Upper House today (March 27), as the Senators returned to the Chamber, after a prolonged absence. The members’...