Latest

Newly appointed judges with their Instruments of Appointment, following a swearing-in ceremony at King’s House on Tuesday (April 3). They are (from left) Justice Andrea Thomas and Justice Grace Henry McKenzie, who will serve as puisne judges in the Supreme Court, effective April 4; and Justice Leighton Pusey, who will act as a judge in the Court of Appeal, effective April 9.

Three Judges Promoted

Three judges have been appointed to act in higher positions in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. Effective April 4, Justice Andrea Thomas and Justice Grace Henry McKenzie will serve as puisne judges in the Supreme Court, and...

Justices of the Peace Being Adequately Prepared to Preside in Lay Magistrates Courts

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Carol Palmer, address a recent restorative justice conference at the Spanish Court Hotel, St. Andrew.

More Restorative Justice Centres to Be Established

Executive Director, Legal Aid Council, Hugh Faulkner.

Legal Aid Council Safeguarding Citizens’ Rights Under Enhanced Security Measures

Retired Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla (left), shakes hands with newly appointed Chief Justice, Hon. Bryan Sykes, following his swearing in at King’s House on Thursday (March 1).

Former Chief Justice Welcomes Hon. Bryan Sykes’ Appointment

Attorney-at-law, Shara-Kay Dacres (second right), notes particulars for Resident of Grants Pen, St. Andrew. Orette Perkins (left), at the Grants Pen Peace Park on Wednesday (February 28) during the Legal Aid Council’s Mobile Justice Unit visit to the community. Others (from 1nd left) are Citizens Security and Justice Programme Community Case Management Officer, Desrine Ritchie; and Grants Pen resident, Ralston Carr.

8 years ago Justice

Grants Pen Residents Benefit from Mobile Justice Unit’s Services

Residents of Grants Pen, St. Andrew, are the latest beneficiaries of the Legal Aid Council’s Mobile Justice Unit. The Unit was at the Grants Pen Peace Park on Wednesday (February 28) dispensing free legal information on the expungement of criminal records, wills, land titles, criminal matters, and child custody and maintenance, among other issues. The services are part of phase...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen (right), presents the Instrument of Office to Chief Justice, Hon. Bryan Sykes, during the swearing-in ceremony at King’s House on Thursday (March 1).

8 years ago Justice

Justice Sykes Sworn in as Chief Justice

The Hon. Justice Bryan Sykes has been appointed the eighth Chief Justice of Jamaica. Justice Sykes was sworn in by Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, during a ceremony at King’s House on Thursday (March 1). During the function, he was bestowed with the nation’s fourth highest honour, the Order of Jamaica (OJ). The Governor-General, in...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen (right), observes as Hon. Justice Bryan Sykes takes the Oath of Office during a ceremony at King’s House on February 1.

8 years ago Justice

Chief Justice to be Sworn in Tomorrow

Prime Minister,Andrew Holness after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition has written to Governor General Sir Patrick Allen to confirm Acting Chief Mr. Justice Bryan Sykes, CD, as Chief Justice of Jamaica. The appointment will take effect on March 1. The ceremony will be held at 9am at Kings House tomorrow.

8 years ago Justice

Re-Examine Resource Allocation in Court System – Justice Sykes

Acting Chief Justice, Bryan Sykes, says the time has come for a re-examination of how resources are requested and allocated within the court system. He noted that, often, concerns are raised about case backlogs, which evoke calls for increased manpower, but argued that in many instances the solution is to “utilise the existing resources that we have in a more...

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Leader of Government Business in the Upper House, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith.

8 years ago JusticeSenate

Justices of the Peace Bill Passed in the Senate

Stricter rules are coming for how the country’s Justices of the Peace (JPs) operate, following the passage of the Justices of the Peace Act, 2018 in the Upper House on Friday (February 23). The Bill, which was passed with five amendments, is aimed at strengthening the regime governing the functions of JPs. It provides for codifying the selection, appointment, discipline,...

Legal Consultant, Legal Aid Clinic, Shara-Kay Dacres (left), takes the information of a resident of Denham Town. The Residents of Denham Town in West Kingston today (February 21) benefited from the services of the Legal Aid Council’s Mobile Justice Unit.

8 years ago Justice

Denham Town Residents Benefit from Legal Aid Mobile Unit

Residents of Denham Town in West Kingston today (February 21) benefited from the services of the Legal Aid Council’s Mobile Justice Unit. The Unit, which began operations in January 2017, provides free consultation and advice, and completes court assignments for clients with criminal matters. “So, persons who want expungement of criminal records, for example, and persons who cannot afford an...

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck. (FILE)

8 years ago Justice

Easier Access to Courts for the Disabled

Building design plans are to be developed in the upcoming fiscal year to allow members of the disabled community easier access to the island’s courts. This is to be carried out under the Technical Cooperation Facility V project, for which a sum of $78.5 million has been allotted in the 2018/19 Estimates of Expenditure. The funds will also be used...