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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...

Registrar of the Office of Children’s Registry (OCR), Greig Smith, is calling on Jamaicans to “break the silence,” so that the nation’s children, especially the girls who seem to be more affected by child abuse, can receive the intervention they need. Mr. Smith was addressing a public forum on ‘Ending Impunity for Sexual Violence: Breaking the Silence’, at the Courtleigh...

Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, says Jamaica has much to offer companies all over the world that may want to set up their group headquarters in the island. He noted that the country has a strong cadre of professionals in law, accounting and other fields, who can support the activities of a group head office. "We also...

Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, said the government is of the view that political affiliation should not bar anyone from public service or from serving on a public sector board. He stated that the primary consideration should be competence, honesty, integrity and other such principles. In fact, he said, many of the boards that now exist; have...

Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, says the Bills to amend the Evidence Act, which have been under development for several years, are expected to be tabled in Parliament  during October. "These Bills are my immediate priority in this area, and it is my hope and intention to introduce them to Parliament during October without further delay," he...

Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, says the nation, particularly the average Jamaican, stands to benefit greatly from accession to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). "There is a lot to be gained for Jamaica, not just for the Government, but for the average person in terms of access to the court, which is the critical thing. The...

Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla, says no single group can improve the justice system, and called for for a unified effort to clear the backlog of cases.  She emphasised that everyone has an interest in seeing that the system works properly and if they unite, “we will see a marked improvement in the justice system". The Chief Justice was speaking...

Four judges, who have been appointed to serve in the Supreme Court, were sworn into office on September 13, at a ceremony held at King's House. They are: David George Batts, who will serve as Puisne Judge; Sharon Ayton George, Master-in-Chambers; while Sonia Bertram Linton and Vivene Juliet Harris have been appointed to Act as Master-in-Chambers. Governor-General, His Excellency the...