Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Bryan Sykes, has been appointed to act as Chief Justice of Jamaica, effective February 1, until further advised. This was disclosed by Attorney General, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, at a special sitting of the Supreme Court to honour the outgoing Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Zaila McCalla, held at Public Building East, downtown Kingston on...

The more than 700 justices of the peace (JPs) in St. James have a key role to play in ensuring that the rights of citizens are upheld, as required by law, during the State of Public Emergency currently under way in the parish. “Generally speaking, a justice of the peace is there to maintain and to keep the peace,” JP...

Justice Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, is encouraging the remaining 148 claimants who suffered damage and losses as a result of the 2010 West Kingston security operations to urgently come forward to claim their share of $21 million in compensation. Providing an update in the House of Representatives on January 23, the Minister said persons are being asked to visit the...

Point of sale machines have been implemented in courthouses across the island to better facilitate the public in carrying out a range of transactions, such as the payment of traffic fines, bail bonds and maintenance allocations. The implementation, which is part of a thrust towards the modernisation of the courts, has been completed in all but one court as of...

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says the new sentencing guidelines for judges should assist in bringing more consistency in the punishment of criminals. “When a judge, having listened to all the facts, looks at all the aggravating factors, the mitigating factors, the age of the offender and the nature and gravity of the offence... there is no way it...

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says an emergency review tribunal will be established shortly to hear and consider appeals by persons who have been affected by the State of Public Emergency that has been declared for the parish of St. James. The tribunal will adjudicate on appeals brought by or on behalf of persons who have been detained under...

The Legal Aid Council is providing legal representation for persons who have been detained under the Limited Public State of Emergency declared on Thursday January 18, 2018 for the parish of St. James. The Legal Aid Council in collaboration with Cornwall Bar Association has made available 19 Counsels, including six (6) Senior Lawyers to provide representation for the detainees. Residents...