Seven judges were sworn into higher office on September 13 during a ceremony at King’s House. Taking the oath of office were the Hon. Justice Paulette A. Williams who has been appointed as Judge of Appeal; the Hon. Justice Carol C. Edwards who has been appointed to act as Judge of Appeal; Her Hon. Carolyn Tie, Her Hon. Stephanie A. Jackson...

Her Honour Judith A. Pusey has been sworn in as the country’s first Chief Judge of the Parish Courts. She was appointed under the Judicature (Resident Magistrates) (Amendment and Change of Name) Act 2015 and on the advice of the Judicial Services Commission. The legislation, among other things, changes the name of the Resident Magistrate’s courts to Parish Courts. It...

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says lotto scamming must be strongly denounced and those who see it fit to make the crime an occupation should be ostracised and frowned upon. “Lottery scamming preys on one of the most vulnerable populations – the elderly,” he pointed out. “Lotto scamming is criminal. Quite frankly, if we know anybody engaging in lotto...

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says the Government intends to expand the jurisdiction of the Court of Petty Sessions as part of the backlog reduction strategy. Additionally, Mr. Chuck said efforts will be made by the Ministry to encourage the use of alternative methods to solve disputes. “We are strengthening the mechanisms to resolve conflicts at the community level....

Justice Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says once evidence is provided and extradition requests are made for lottery scammers, they will be granted. “When we find these lotto scammers they must be put away in jail for a good while. They must face the consequences of their actions,” the Minister emphasised. Mr. Chuck was addressing the installation ceremony for 35 new...

President of the Lay Magistrates Association of Jamaica St. James Chapter, Claudette Bryan, is urging newly commissioned Justices of the Peace (JPs) for the parish to take their responsibilities seriously. Addressing the commissioning ceremony for 35 new JPs held on Thursday (September 8) at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, Mrs. Bryan told the appointees that they have taken on an...

The Ministry of Justice is looking to complete work on the proposed amendments to the Criminal Justice (Plea Negotiations and Agreement) Act by the end of September or early October. “The Legal Reform Unit in the Justice Ministry is now actively working on it,” said Portfolio Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck. “I have given the direction to the Office of Parliamentary...