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KINGSTON — The country could see a draft amendment to the Arbitration Act by the end of September, as chief legislative drafters in the Ministry of Justice are now seeking to make changes to the law, which has not been updated since 1900. The Ministry is collaborating with consultant, Professor John Rooney of the University of Miami with a view...

KINGSTON — Five judges were sworn in today (September 15), to serve in the Supreme Court,  by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, during a ceremony at King's House. They are: His Honour Frank Williams, Her Honour Carol Edwards, and Mr. Kirk Anderson, who have been appointed  Puisne Judges of the Supreme Court; Her Honour Sharon Ayton...

KINGSTON — Five judges were sworn in today September 15, to serve in the Supreme Court, by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, during a ceremony at King’s House. They are: His Honour Frank Williams, Her Honour Carol Edwards, and Mr. Kirk Anderson, who have been appointed  Puisne Judges of the Supreme Court; Her Honour Sharon Ayton...

MONTEGO BAY — The new Lucea Family Court was officially opened on Thursday August 18, by the Minister of Justice, the Hon. Delroy Chuck. Completion of the courthouse is seen as a “dream come through” for the people of Hanover, who have been without an official Family Court building for more than a decade. The previous structure was deemed unfit,...

KINGSTON — The much anticipated opening of the Lucea Family Court, Hanover, is scheduled for Thursday, August 18. The state-of the-art facility was constructed with funding from the European Union (EU), under its Poverty Reduction Programme II. In an interview with JIS News, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Robert Rainford, said completion of the court is part of...

KINGSTON — Newly-appointed Attorney General, Hon. Ransford Braham, was on August 8 officially sworn into office by Deputy Governor-General, Hon. Steadman Fuller, during a ceremony at King’s House. Mr. Fuller congratulated the veteran Attorney-at-Law on his appointment, noting that the selection was an “expression of confidence” in his ability to guide the affairs of that office, given the manner in...

KINGSTON — Attorney for the Jamaican Redevelopment Foundation (JRF), Sandra Minott-Phillips raised a number of issues regarding former Minister of Water and Housing. Dr. Karl Blythe's credibility as a debtor, as the FINSAC Commission of Enquiry resuming hearings Thursday morning (August 4) at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston. Attorney for Dr. Blythe, Leonard Green, criticized Mrs. Minott-Phillips for insisting...

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has named Attorney-at-Law Ransford Braham as the new Attorney General who will serve in the position with that office separated from the Ministerial portfolio of Justice. Explaining the decision to separate the responsibilities, Prime Minister Golding said he had done so based on the very strong recommendations of the recently concluded Manatt Commission of Enquiry. He pointed out that the Attorney General does not...

KINGSTON — Attorney-at-Law, Dr. Lloyd Barnett, has described the provisions of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms Bill, as a "big improvement" on the previous Constitutional entitlements of Jamaican citizens. The Charter Bill was debated and passed in the House of Representatives and Senate, during the closing weeks of the 2010/11 legislative year. It repeals and replaces Chapter Three...

LONDON — Jamaica’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), His Excellency Anthony Johnson, has hailed Wednesday's (May 18) ruling by the British Court of Appeal to allow a new trial into the 1993 murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence. Mr. Johnson said he hoped that Stephen’s parents, Neville and Doreen Lawrence, both of whom are Jamaican, could take comfort from...

KINGSTON — A $15.3 million contract has been signed by the Ministry of Justice for the construction of a pedestrian bridge to connect the Supreme Court building to the old National Commercial Bank (NCB) complex on Barry Street, in downtown Kingston, which is being rehabilitated to provide more court rooms and space for judges. The contract was signed yesterday, at...

MONTEGO BAY — Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, has invited commentary from regional prosecutors now meeting in Montego Bay, on Jamaica's planned move to establish a special prosecutor’s office, through a Bill now before Parliament. The special prosecutor will be empowered under the provisions of the law to investigate and prosecute corrupt high-level public and private officials. “We are...