Chief Justice, Hon. Bryan Sykes, says data over the past six years shows outstanding improvements in addressing case backlogs in the parish courts. “There has been a steady decline in the net backlog of cases from 17.98 per cent in 2016 to 1.27 per cent. So, what that means is that the parish courts have exceeded international benchmarks, as far...

The Ministry of Justice is calling on members of churches/ faith-based organisations across Jamaica to take advantage of the training being offered in restorative justice practices. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, said persons can reach out to the administrators at the 20 restorative justice centres island-wide by calling 888-JUSTICE or 888-587-8423, to indicate their wish to participate. The Minister was...

Five judges appointed to serve in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, were sworn into office, today (September 14), during a ceremony at King’s House. They are: Hon. Justice Kissock Laing, who has been appointed to act as Judge of the Court of Appeal from September 19, 2022 to February 14, 2023; Master Pamela Mason, Master Stephany Orr,...

A delegation from Indonesia is to arrive in November, to complete a study on Jamaica’s restorative justice programme. The 15-member team, to include some of Indonesia’s most influential leaders in politics, crime, corrections and law, is to visit Jamaica’s courts, Department of Correctional Services, Parliament and the police commissioner’s office. According to the Ministry of Justice, the move stems from...

Jamaica’s faith-based community is the latest group that will benefit from a restorative justice programme initiated by the Ministry of Justice, following the signing of a partnership between the parties on Tuesday (September 6). The programme will allow church leaders and members islandwide to participate in training sessions aimed at promoting restorative justice practices. Restorative justice is a process whereby...

Queen’s Counsel, Carolyn Reid-Cameron, was on Thursday (September 1), sworn in as Public Defender during a ceremony at King’s House. Mrs. Reid-Cameron, who was sworn in by Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, succeeds Attorney-at-Law, Arlene Harrison Henry, who retired in April. Mrs. Reid-Cameron who is the second woman to be appointed to the post, previously...

The Legal Aid Council assisted 1,524 clients through duty counsel services and legal representation in 2021. Additionally, representation was provided for 59 persons with mental illness who were held on remand and deemed unfit to plead or held in adult correctional facilities at the Governor-General’s or the Court’s pleasure. As reported in the Economic and Social Survey Jamaica 2021, a...