Government Senator, Matthew Samuda, is calling for legislative changes that will see the imposition of a mandatory minimum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment for convicted child abusers who have a high duty of care. Making his contribution to the State of the Nation Debate in the Senate, today (February 3), Mr. Samuda cited some of these individuals who have a...

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, has warned that the Government will be coming for the over $9 billion it is owed in outstanding property taxes. He noted that almost one third of landowners are not paying their property tax, which is used to finance the provision of critical services at the local level. This includes garbage collection, the maintenance...

The Ministry of Justice will launch its 2017 training for Justices of the Peace (JPs) on February 2, at the Jamaica Conference Centre, in downtown Kingston. More than 1,000 JPs are expected to attend the launch, which will also serve as a sensitisation session. Director/Principal of the Justice Training Institute in the Ministry, Karen Campbell Bascoe, said registration will begin...

The Legal Aid Council Mobile Unit, which has consulted with over 175 persons in five communities so far, will continue its drive to help Jamaicans by targeting 11 additional locations in the month of February. Executive Director of the Legal Aid Council, Hugh Faulkner, explained that most of the persons “came with multiple matters, so even when you see 25...

The Ministry of Justice has implemented a Case Management Statistical System in parish courts island-wide, which will capture data on criminal matters and enhance the capacity of the justice system to manage backlogs. The system, which was put in place between July and December 2016, was official launched on Saturday (Jan. 21) at the Ministry’s Constant Spring Road office. Portfolio...

The Legal Aid Council (LAC), through its mobile justice unit, will continue its outreach services this week at locations in St. James and Kingston. On Monday (January 23) the unit will be at the open lot next to Warren’s Hardware in Flanker from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm. It travels to the Waterhouse Community Centre popularly known as Bagga Park...

While the Criminal Justice (Administration) Act allows persons accused of crimes to plead guilty and give testimony or information in return for a reduced penalty, the offer is seldom taken up by defendants. This is in stark contrast to some jurisdictions across the world, including the United States where up to 90 per cent of their cases are disposed of...