Legislation to expunge the criminal records of persons convicted for possession of, or smoking small quantities of ganja was passed in the Senate on Friday, July 3. Under the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) (Amendment) Act, convictions for possession of two ounces or less of ganja, or for smoking ganja, or possession of pipes or other smoking utensils, will not...

The Senate, on Friday, June 27, approved the Financial Services Commission (Amendment of Fourth Schedule) Order, which allows fixed penalties for breaches made under the Pensions (Superannuation Funds and Retirement Schemes) Act. The penalties range from $50,000 for failure to display a certificate of registration or licensing certificate, to $200,000 for performing duties as a fund administrator without being licensed....

Cabinet is expected to receive a submission from Justice Minister, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, on proposed amendments to the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act, within the next two weeks. The amendments are intended to revise the Act to facilitate the removal of criminal records against the names of persons convicted for possession of, or smoking small quantities of...

Justice Minister, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, says no fall-out is anticipated between Jamaica and its international partners, consequent on the proposed decriminalization of ganja for medical/medicinal and religious purposes, and personal use. Addressing journalists at Thursday’s (June 12) media briefing at Jamaica House, where he made the announcement, Senator Golding said international agreements relating to ganja, to which Jamaica...

Cabinet has approved revision of the Dangerous Drugs Act for the decriminalization of ganja for medicinal, religious, and private/personal use. The proposed changes will facilitate ganja being used for therapeutic purposes, as prescribed by a registered practitioner, or for scientific research conducted by an accredited tertiary institution or otherwise approved by the Scientific Research Council (SRC). The changes will also...

The Office of the Public Defender (OPD) is inviting members of the public to attend consultation sessions across the island to discuss the National Disabilities Bill recently tabled in Parliament. The sessions will begin in Kingston at the Jamaica Bar Association, 78 - 80 Harbour Street on June 5 beginning at 11:00am. The National Disabilities Bill seeks to make provisions...

The Justice Reform Implementation Unit (JRIU) has embarked on a series of consultations with members of the legal fraternity, as part of plans to fully implement Criminal Case Management (CCM) in the country’s courts. The consultations will entail: sharing of proposals for Criminal Case Management improvements, as recommended by the courts and their technical legal advisors; informing lawyers on the...