A total of 439 Justices of the Peace (JPs) were commissioned during 2016/17 as part of the Government’s undertaking to reform and strengthen the justice system. This was announced by Justice Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, during his 2017/18 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 2. Mr. Chuck said the JPs’ commissioning was one aspect of...

Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla, says there are plans to develop a more interactive relationship between the judiciary and the media. “In order to prevent speculation and eliminate or reduce inaccuracies in media reports, a more balanced approach is necessary, and steps are being taken in recognition of this approach,” she said. Mrs. McCalla was addressing the 3rd Annual Commonwealth...

Four female members of the judiciary have been appointed to serve at higher levels within Jamaica’s courts. With effect from April 19, Justice Carolyn Tie and Justice Andrea Pettigrew Collins will serve as Masters-in-Chambers of the Supreme Court. Mrs. Pettigrew Collins will act in this position. Also effective on this date, is Miss Yvonne Brown’s appointment to act as Puisne...

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says the Government is committed to providing the modern legislative framework required to advance Jamaica’s development of a new business architecture. He argues that this is necessary to send a strong signal to the rest of the world about the country’s seriousness and readiness to be positioned as an international financial and business destination....

Ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Justice to build the capacity of Case Progression Officers (CPOs) will result in a more efficient case-management process and a reduction in delays in the criminal justice system. This is being achieved through training workshops, the first of which was held on April 1 at the Jewels Runaway Bay Beach Resort and Spa in...

The Ministry of Justice will be setting up 14 Justice Centres across the island, which will be the focal point to spread and push alternative dispute resolution programmes such as restorative justice, mediation and child diversion. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, said the centres are also expected to be the meeting places for the parish child diversion committees as well...

Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla, is hailing Jamaica’s Criminal Bench Book as a legal resource to strengthen the process of judges’ summations to juries in criminal cases. The recently published book seeks to aid trial judges in directing juries in Circuit Court trials, and contains brief summaries of commonplace areas of law encountered in criminal cases. Also in the book...