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Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding. (FILE)

Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 2015 to Come Into Effect April 15

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...

Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding (right), in conversation with Chief Justice of Jamaica, Mrs. Justice Zaila McCalla, at a ceremony held at the Knutsford Court Hotel on April 2, in New Kingston, where certificates were awarded to 57 Justices of the Peace (JPs) who participated in the specialized training for Petty Sessions Court, which covered a wide range of court procedures.

JPs Receive Certificates for Court of Petty Session Training

Members of the Upper House participate in today's (March 27) proceedings of the Senate, after welcoming back Opposition Senators Arthur Williams and Dr. Christopher Tufton, who returned to their positions following their absence in 2013.

Senator Golding Hails Judiciary for Settling Constitutional Matter

Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, (right) unveils a plaque at the official opening of the Montego Bay Restorative Justice Centre at the Overton Plaza in Montego Bay on February 17. Looking on (from left) are Acting Director of the Restorative Justice Unit in the Ministry of Justice, Roydon Hall; and Custos of St. James, Hon. Ewen Corrodus. Kind regards,

Restorative Justice Restoring Friendships, Healing Communities

Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding (right), in discussion with Contractor General, Dirk Harrison, at the Office of the Contractor General’s inaugural three-day Fraud and Anti-Corruption Conference, held on March 10, at the Knutsford Court Hotel.

Government Reaffirms Commitment to Fight Corruption

11 years ago Justice

Restorative Justice Restoring Friendships, Healing Communities

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...

11 years ago Justice

More Help from the UK to Fight Corruption

The British Government has committed a further £17 million to assist in the fight against corruption and fraud in Jamaica and the eastern Caribbean, over the next five years. Making the disclosure, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Jamaica, His Excellency David Fitton, said the money is being provided by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and will...

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and Chairperson for the NATFATIP, Carol Palmer, provides an update on the Government’s efforts against human trafficking. Looking on is Head of the Organised Crime Investigation Division, Senior Superintendent of Police, Clifford Chambers, who recently received surveillance equipment from the National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP), aimed at increasing prosecution of persons involved in human trafficking and reduce dependence on victims for evidence.

11 years ago Justice

NATFATIP Submits Report

The National Taskforce Against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP) has submitted Jamaica’s report to the United States (US) Department of State for the February 15 deadline and is awaiting the results to be released in June. Jamaica’s 2014 Trafficking in Persons report addresses recommendations from the previous report. “I think the only thing we have not achieved from the recommendations made...

11 years ago Budget 2015/2016Justice

CSJP III Gets $880 Million Injection

A sum of $880 million has been allocated to the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) III to carry out crime and violence prevention programmes in targeted communities. The money allocated for the new fiscal year will see $15 million going towards parenting education; $20 million for counselling interventions; $30 million for violence interruption services; $77 million for social marketing;...

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, and Chairperson, National Taskforce Against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP), Mrs. Carol Palmer officially hands over surveillance equipment to Head of the Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Clifford Chambers, on February 26, at the Ministry, in Kingston. The surveillance equipment is expected to improve the intelligence gathering process and the quality of evidence in undercover operations.

11 years ago Justice

Equipment Handed Over to Anti-Trafficking in Persons Vice Squad

The Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Intellectual Property Vice Squad has received surveillance equipment, aimed at increasing prosecution of persons involved in human trafficking and reduce dependence on victims for evidence. “These covert pieces of equipment will improve the evidence that the police will be able to garner and reduce the dependence on victims to cooperate. [Currently]...we are totally dependent on...

11 years ago Budget 2015/2016Justice

Allocation to Improve Courthouses

The Government has budgeted $122.1 million for construction and improvement works under the Ministry of Justice. This is outlined in the 2015/16 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. Of the sum, $72.1 million will go towards the construction and improvement of courthouses. This money will be used to complete all works on Public Buildings North (Justice Square...

11 years ago Justice

Ganja Bill Will Reduce Crime, Free Up Police Resources

Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting, said a regulated regime for the use of ganja can have positive benefits for law enforcement, including reducing organised crime, while enabling more efficient use of police resources. Minister Bunting was speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (February 24), where the Bill to amend the Dangerous Drugs Act was passed. The...