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Ministry of Justice is actively pursuing full implementation of Restorative Justice to complement judicial proceedings, where reconciliation between the victims and perpetrators of crime and violence is deemed possible.  Restorative justice is defined as the process by which all parties with a stake in an offence come together to resolve the issue collectively, thereby embracing healing within the community and...

The House of Representatives passed amendments to the Spirit Licencing Act on Tuesday (December 4), to extend the opening hours for licenced bars and taverns. In opening the debate on the Bill, Attorney General Patrick Atkinson, noted that there has been a trend for operators to keep their facilities open well past the 9:00 p.m. cut off time and the...

The Evidence (Special Measures) Act was passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (December 4), paving the way for the admissibility of evidence via live audio-visual links or video recordings in criminal and civil proceedings and in a coroner's inquest. Attorney-General, Hon. Patrick Atkinson, who piloted the legislation through the House, noted that the use of television live link...

Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla, says that the various agencies that have responsibility for dealing with children in the justice system must be vigilant in safeguarding their rights as mandated by the Child Care and Protection Act. She was addressing the Kingston and St. Andrew Family Court Parent Month exposition on November 30, 2012 at the Jamaica Conference Centre. The...

The Ministry of Justice’s Victim Support Unit (VSU)  has been providing counselling and other services to victims of  crime for many years. Established in 1998, the VSU has been charged with the mandate to indentify the victim’s needs, advocate for their rights, and to provide support through the implementation of therapeutic/psychological programmes. Senior Co-ordinator at the  Unit, Reverend Osbourne Bailey,...

Legislation aimed at improving the management of public debt was passed on November 30 in the Senate. The Public Debt Management Act will repeal the Loan Act of 1964 and several enactments related to the raising of loans by the Government. Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, who opened the debate, explained that while the existing legislative framework...

Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, says the Government continues to make suitable amendments to the Motor Vehicle Import Policy, in an effort to ensure that there is equity and balance within the local motor vehicle industry. Speaking at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of a new Suzuki showroom on South Camp Road in Kingston, on...

Justice Minister, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, said that the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) should be embraced by the leadership and rank and file of the country’s security forces, as the body will make them more effective in their tasks and improve the justice system and law enforcement. “By virtue of its independence, INDECOM is reinforcing the integrity and...

In January 2010 Monica Jones (not her real name) was arrested by the police for possession of marijuana. She had just purchased $400 worth of the drug, intent on furthering a seven-year habit. She knew that her drug use was destructive and had long wanted to stop but lacked the will and means to do it on her own. “Plenty...

Licenced bars and similar establishments will soon be able to legally remain open for longer hours as a result of amendments, which are to be made to the Spirit Licencing Act. Making the announcement on Wednesday at the Jamaica House press briefing, at the Office of the Prime Minister, Justice Minister, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, explained that, “for some...

A referendum to determine Jamaica's full accession to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) would be unwarranted, divisive, disruptive, inappropriate and could cost the country at least $700 million to conduct the national exercise.   This was posited by Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, at a recent JIS ‘Think Tank’,  held at the agency’s head office in...

Deputy Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Erica Boswell Munroe, is reminding Jamaicans that they have a pivotal role to play in influencing the law making process that governs the country. “You can influence how the laws are made, the content of the law, how the law is enforced by understanding, as citizens, what are your rights, duties, obligations and also the channels...