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As part of its backlog reduction strategy, the Ministry of Justice will be seeking to expedite the Justice Square project in downtown Kingston, to provide more courtrooms and Chambers for judges. In  an interview with JIS News, Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, said that so far, the basement and the first two floors located in the former...

The Government will be strengthening its criminal case management system, as it seeks to reduce the backlog of cases within the justice system. Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, said the aim is to have the parties to criminal proceedings and the judge proactively manage the cases, to avoid multiple mention dates and other delays. “(This) is a...

Cabinet has given the nod for the introduction of a Bill, which is expected to facilitate increased access to credit, and enhance the business environment. The Security Interest in Personal Property Act (2013) is designed to implement a legal framework to modernise and improve the availability of domestic credit to the private sector, while minimising the risk of loan repayment....

A levy of US$1 has been imposed on each pound of conch exported during the 2013 conch season. The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, July 23, approved the Conch (Export Levy) (Rate of Levy) Order Resolution, 2013, to facilitate the move. The Resolution was brought by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke. The law requires that for each...

A Bill to validate and confirm as lawful, the acts done in good faith by officers of the Veterinary Services Division in the collection of levies from conch exporters in relation to the 2011 conch season, was passed in the House of Representatives on July 23. Piloting the Bill - The Conch (Export Levy) (Validation and Indemnity) Act - Minister...

The Government is to implement a raft of reforms, to modernise and eliminate some of the anomalies and processes that exist in the laws governing the administration of estates for deceased persons. This will address the delay in the bequeathing of estates, enhance efficiency, and free up assets to make them productive for the families involved. Speaking at at a...

The Senate has approved legislation to impose harsher penalties for the crime of human trafficking, and to expand the list of offences under the law. Under the amendments to the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Suppression and Punishment) Act, convicted persons can be imprisoned for up to 20 years, with provision for the court to impose an additional 10 years if...

The Senate, on Friday (June 21), approved a Bill to facilitate Jamaica’s acceptance into the Egmont Group. The Egmont Group provides a forum for Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) around the world, to improve co-operation in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing; and to foster the implementation of domestic programmes in this regard. The Bill, which amended the Financial...

The Government has established a shelter for the care and protection of victims of human trafficking, as part of initiatives to address issues relating to the crime in Jamaica. The shelter, which has been operational since March 2013, can hold up to 10 persons and has been refurbished and furnished at a cost of approximately $3.2 million. The National Task...

Jamaicans are being implored to take care of the country’s seniors and report cases of abuse or neglect. The appeal comes from the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) as the country prepares to observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15 under the theme ‘Shine a Light’. Executive Director of the NCSC, Charmaine Muirhead,told JIS News that...

Cabinet is to consider a submission for the establishment of a Municipal Court and enhancement of the Municipal Police Force (MPF). This was disclosed by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate on June 11, in the House of Representatives. He informed that a joint submission from his Ministry...

The Senate on Friday (May 24), passed a Bill making provisions for harmonising the treatment of charitable organisations for the purpose of taxation. The legislation seeks to harmonise the various tax statutes, and provide standard definitions for the terms “approved charitable organisation” and “charitable purposes” for tax use. It also amends the Customs Act, the General Consumption Act, the Income...