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The Government of Jamaica is undertaking a comprehensive review of the island's justice system and will, within the next two months, engage an expert in justice sector reform to lead the process. Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Senator A.J. Nicholson, who made the announcement in his contribution to the State of the Nation debate in the Senate on Friday...

Efforts are being made by the Community Relations Department of the Clarendon Police Division to reactivate several neighbourhood watch groups in the parish and strengthen those that are active. Speaking at a special meeting of the neigbourhood watch groups, held at the St. James Methodist Church Hall on January 25 in May Pen, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Marlene Wilson Christie,...

Some seven persons have been sentenced to prison as the Ministry of Labour and Social Security continues to clamp down on employment agencies in breach of the terms and conditions of the Employment Agency Regulation Act. Director of the Manpower Services Division in the Ministry, Barrington Bailey, told JIS News that more agencies were under investigation. "There are four others...

Absentee landowners or persons conducting property transactions need not worry that their interests will be abused or otherwise affected by their absence from the country, as they can appoint someone to legally act on their behalf. This procedure is known as administering the terms of a Power of Attorney, explained Joan Walker, Legal Officer in the Land Titles Division of...

Commissioner of Police, Lucius Thomas, has assured Jamaicans living in Canada that the police are committed to winning the war on crime. Addressing more than 300 Jamaicans at the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) Centre in Toronto, Canada, on January 20, Commissioner Thomas said that despite the high number of homicides in 2005, the police force did record a number of...

The government is seeking to establish a National Intelligence Agency (NIA), which would provide intelligence to inform state decision-making on strategic or policy issues that go beyond supporting planned operations. As proposed, the NIA will be an independent civilian state agency mandated to gather strategic information, process it into strategic intelligence and provide the government with timely advice on matters...

More than 200 students participated in a presentation on Restorative Justice, yesterday (January 23), at the Holy Trinity High School in Kingston. The event was staged as part of the initiative by the Ministry of Justice to educate students about the principles of restorative justice. The Ministry is employing a strategy of zoning high schools, which are in close proximity...

Jamaica's Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas, has assured Jamaicans living in Canada that the police are committed to winning the war on crime. Speaking on Friday, Jan. 20 to more than 300 Jamaicans at the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) Centre in Toronto, Canada, Commissioner Thomas said that despite the large number of homicides in 2005, the police force did record...

The Ministry of Justice will launch its public awareness campaign on restorative justice, with its 'Restorative Justice Opportunities' symposium on November 30 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Girl Guides Association of Jamaica headquarters in Kingston. The keynote address will be delivered by Executive Director of the Centre for Justice and Reconciliation at Prison Fellowship International, Daniel Van...

Judges Hazel Eleanor Harris and Martin Luther Gayle have been appointed Judge of the Appeal Court and Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court, respectively. They were sworn in today (November 29) by Governor-General, His Excellency Sir Howard Cooke at King's House. Mr. Harris will replace Justice Paul Harrison, who was appointed President of the Court of Appeal earlier this month,...

Custos of St. James, Clarence Nelson has lauded the contribution of Lay Magistrates to the country's justice system. Custos Nelson, who was speaking at the St. James Lay Magistrates Association's annual general meeting held on July 28 at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in Montego Bay, pointed to the importance of training to the work of the Justices of the...

The Jamaica Coalition on the Rights of the Child (JCRC) will be launching two books, which seek to promote the protection of the rights of children. The launch will take place at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville this Friday, June 3, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Executive Director of JCRC, Carol Samuels told JIS News that the activity formed part...