Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Wayne Robertson, is calling for the laws of Jamaica with outdated monetary penalties to be updated. Speaking during a Legislative Policy Development Forum at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Thursday (June 13), Mr. Robertson informed that when the Ministry was established, it received information on this area...

Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, says work has commenced to develop a comprehensive digital information portal for Jamaica’s laws. Funding is being provided by the World Bank under its Foundations for Competitiveness and Growth Project (FCGP). “I am pleased to report that the contract for the development of the Jamaica Legal Information Portal was awarded...

The Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC) is moving to prepare drafting instructions for the substantive Bill to transition Jamaica from a constitutional monarchy to a republic. Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, made the disclosure during her contribution to the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 11). “When the Bill comes to...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government remains optimistic about the prospects for Jamaica’s transition from a constitutional monarchy to a republic. While noting that the process has not gone as he had expected, in relation to the anticipated stakeholder support, Prime Minister Holness said the Government still holds out hope for constitutional transformation being achieved. “It...

A Bill to amend Section 61 of the Constitution of Jamaica to provide for new Words of Enactment, was passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 28). Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, who piloted the Constitution (Amendment of Section 61) Act, 2024, said it constitutes the first legislative step in a proposed series...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is assuring citizens that the Government is committed to pursuing Jamaica’s transition to a Republic in keeping with the wishes of the people.   He noted that members of the Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC) have done a lot of work to garner the views of citizens across the island, and opinion polls have repeatedly...

Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, says Cabinet has approved the issuance of drafting instructions for the preparation of the Bill on the transition to the Republic of Jamaica.   The report of the Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC) on the transition and other matters was tabled in Parliament on May 21.   “We're now going to be preparing...

Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, says Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, will respond to the letter sent by the Opposition, which essentially raised three issues about the constitutional reform process. Opposition Leader, Mark Golding, wrote to Prime Minister Holness on May 7, outlining his concern regarding the timeline for severing ties with the...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government will continue to pursue consensus on constitutional reform, because the constitutional and governance architecture of the country cannot be disturbed without consensus. He assured Jamaicans that the efforts made by the Government towards Jamaica becoming a Republic are not in vain. His comment follows the decision of the Opposition representatives...