Latest

Government Senator, Matthew Samuda, addresses a recent sitting of the Senate.

Senator Calls for 25 Years for Certain Persons who Abuse Children

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...

Director/Principal, Justice Training Institute in the Ministry of Justice, Karen Campbell-Bascoe.

Justice Ministry to Launch 2017 Training for JPs

The Legal Aid Council Mobile Justice Unit that will be visiting locations to provide free consultations, advice and complete Court assignments for clients with criminal matters.

Legal Aid Mobile Unit to Visit 11 Locations in February

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck (second left), looks on as Court Statistician, Dr. Denarto Dennis (right); and Data Entry Clerk from the St. Ann Parish Court, Shanique Davis (seated), demonstrate the use of the Case Management Statistical System, which has been implemented at parish courts across the island. Head of Development Cooperation at the High Commission of Canada, Walter Bernyck; and Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla, also observe. Occasion was the official launch of the system on Saturday, January 21, at the Ministry’s Constant Spring Road offices.

Case Management Statistical System Implemented at Parish Courts

Legal Aid Council Takes Mobile Unit to Flanker and Waterhouse

9 years ago Justice

Gov’t Coming for Outstanding Property Taxes – Chuck

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...

9 years ago Justice

Justice Minister Proposes More Incentives to Clear Backlog

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...

9 years ago Justice

Duty Counsel List to be Made Available Soon

The recently updated Duty Counsel list, which is part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Justice to ensure equity and fairness for all Jamaicans in the justice system, will be available soon. Executive Director of the Legal Aid Council, Attorney at Law, Hugh Faulkner, told JIS News in a recent interview that in a few weeks, the list will...

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck (right), is in discussion with Custodes for Kingston and St. Andrew, Hon. Steadman Fuller, and Hon. Dr. Patricia Dunwell, respectively. Occasion was the commissioning ceremony for 84 Justices of the Peace (JPs) for St. Andrew held on January 15 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston.

9 years ago Justice

Justice Minister Encourages More Guilty Pleas

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, is urging persons who have committed crimes to offer guilty pleas where the evidence against them is of such that they are unlikely to mount a successful defence. He said that by pleading guilty, their sentences could be reduced and there is speedier disposal of the case, which helps to reduce the backlog in...

State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green (2nd right), listens keenly to Western Regional Director of the Child Development Agency (CDA), Eunice Scott Shaw (2nd left), as she gives an update on temporary arrangements to house the 28 wards of the State who were displaced following a fire which destroyed the Clifton Boys’ Home in Darliston, Westmoreland, on January 15. The State Minister toured the St. John’s Anglican Church, where the boys are housed temporarily, on January 16. Others (from left) are House Mother, Irene McDonald and head of the St. John’s Anglican Church, Father Hartley Perrin.

9 years ago Justice

Accommodation Identified for Wards at Clifton Boys’ Home

Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, says a more suitable temporary location for wards of the State from the Clifton Boys’ Home in Darliston, Westmoreland, has been identified. He added that once the necessary contractual arrangements can be ironed out, the wards will be relocated there. The home was destroyed by fire...

9 years ago Justice

Legal Aid Mobile Unit Begins Visits on January 17

The recently launched Legal Aid Council Mobile Justice Unit will begin visiting locations within the month of January 2017. The first location to be serviced by the unit will be Canaan Heights, Clarendon, on January 17 at the Canaan Heights Community Centre from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The unit will then make its way to March Pen, St. Catherine,...

In this file photo, Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen (right), swears in Mrs. Lorna Shelly-Williams as a Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court, during a ceremony held at King’s House on January 5, 2016. Two other Puisne Judges, two acting Puisne Judges and two Masters-in-Chambers were also sworn in.

9 years ago Justice

More Judges and Improvements to Courts this Year

Increasing the number of judges and upgrading of critical infrastructure are among the areas of focus this year as Government continues to put measures in place to improve the justice system. “We want to meet the full capacity of judges,” said Director of the Justice Reform Implementation Unit (JRIU) in the Ministry of Justice, Althea McBean, in a recent interview...