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The Jury Act is being amended to allow for majority verdicts by juries, of no less than nine to three among a 12-man jury, in non-capital murder cases (where the sentencing options do not include the death penalty). Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who opened the debate on the Bill in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 15), suggested that...

Member of Parliament for South Eastern St. Catherine, Colin Fagan, has said that the Act relating to the granting of bail for persons accused of certain crimes, should include provisions to give more support to the justice system. He said that rather than imposing a 60-day detention without bail, the Bill, should, instead, "provide the courts with database that is...

The Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) is moving to strengthen relief assistance being extended by several charitable and business entities to residents of West Kingston, affected by last week's stand-off between the security forces and gunmen. Honorary Secretary of the PSOJ, Earl Jarrett, told JIS News that the organisation is currently looking at what can be done "immediately", to...

Residents of Manchester turned out in their numbers on Monday (May 24) to work on the 3D project site in Albion, where a new home is being built for disabled young people in the parish. The community-based rehabilitation service, 3D Projects, is constructing the facility, in collaboration with the Adventists Relief Agency (ADRA) and through funding from the Culture, Health,...

Dr. Ronald Robinson has tendered his resignation as both a member of the Senate and Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, with immediate effect. His letter of resignation, which was addressed to Prime Minister Bruce Golding, was received by Jamaica House, on Thursday (May 20). Dr. Robinson, who was appointed to the Senate and...

Minister of Justice and Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Senator Hon. Dorothy Lightbourne, has expressed the view that flexible work arrangements can have a positive impact on family life. "Workers would be free to organise their working hours in the manner which best accommodates their family responsibilities. Workers could also negotiate with employers to complete their 40 working...

Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, has charged residents of Spanish Town to get behind their Restorative and Community Justice Pilot Project, so that the initiative can have a positive and meaningful impact. The project was launched at Emancipation Square, Spanish Town, Wednesday (April 28). Restorative Justice provides alternative mechanisms for resolving disputes by bringing the victim,...

The following release was issued by the Ministry of Justice on Friday (April 9): Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, the Hon Dorothy Lightbourne, who is also Leader of Government Business in the Senate There has been much discussion in the media regarding the suspension of Senator K.D. Knight on March 26, 2010 for two sittings of the Senate. The discussion...

Representatives of Incavel Omnibus E Pecas, the Brazilian firm which rehabilitated a badly damaged 2002 Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus, are currently in Jamaica assessing the performance of the bus, after a 90-day trial period. JUTC's Managing Director, Mr. Paul Abrahams, is to hold discussions with the Incavel representatives, who are in search of a possible long-term arrangement out...

Three more senior judges were appointed to higher offices on Tuesday (April 6) by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, during a ceremony at King's House. Sworn in were: His Honour Mr. Justice Patrick Anthony Brooks, as Judge of the Court of Appeal, Her Honour Miss Nicole Adrienne Simmons, to act as Puisne Judge and Her Honour...

A total of $250 million has been set aside in the 2010/2011 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the Houses of Representatives, to facilitate the renovation and maintenance of the country's court houses. The money will also go towards the purchase of equipment and other goods and services. Meanwhile, an additional sum of $35 million will go towards justice improvement measures...

The Citizen Security and Justice programme(CSJP), which is being executed by the Ministry of National Security, has been allocated $684 million to carry out phase two works in the new fiscal year, which begins April 1. As contained in the 2010/11 Estimates of Expenditure now before the House of Representatives, the allocation will continue the implementation of the Integrated Management...