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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...

Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, says a strategy has been developed to address the backlog in the nation's courts, which he intends to take to Cabinet soon. Senator Golding was responding to concerns expressed in the Senate today (April 19), during the debate on the Committal Proceedings Act. The Backlog Reduction Strategy was developed out of the...

The Government is providing $75 million this fiscal year for the strengthening of restorative justice services under the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) II. As contained in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, the money will go towards the retrofitting and refurbishing of three centres and the training of 2,500 agents in the delivery...

The Government has allocated $410 million for construction works under the Ministry of Justice. This is outlined in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. Of the sum, $370 million will go towards the construction and improvement of courthouses; continuing Phase one construction of Justice Square; and completing renovations to a building on Hagley Park Road...

The Government has set aside a total of $58 million for the Justice Undertakings for Social Transformation (JUST) programme in the Ministry of Justice. As outlined in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, the project seeks to: improve service delivery and management capacity of justice sector institutions; improve capacity of Ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs)...

Three members of the legal fraternity have been designated as Queen’s Counsel (QC). They are: President of the Jamaican Bar Association, Ian G. Wilkinson; Denise E. Kitson; and Michael M. Shelton. The appointments were made by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, on the recommendation of Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller. The appointments took...

Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, says every Jamaican must become involved in the work of the justice system, as this is essential in building a stable society. “Justice is central to the goal of building a cohesive and civilized society (and)… essential to the goal of investment, economic growth, and development,” he stated. Senator Golding was speaking...

Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, says the Government will ensure that the National Housing Trust (NHT) continues to grow and flourish in the interest of the Jamaican people. He was speaking in the Senate on Friday (March 8), as he successfully piloted the National Housing Trust (Special Provisions) Act 2013 through the Upper House.   The legislation...

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will sit in Jamaica for the first time from Monday, March 4 to Friday, March 8, to hear evidence in the case of Shanique Myrie versus the state of Barbados. The sitting, which is open to the public, will be held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00...