The House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 1) approved an Order that will facilitate a gun amnesty slated to run from Saturday, November 5, until midnight Saturday, November 19. The Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) (Firearms Amnesty) Order 2022, was moved by Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang. Dr. Chang had signalled his intention to declare a firearms...

Jamaicans can expect the process of becoming a Republic to take some time in Parliament. This is the word from Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, who says constitutionally, there has to be a delay of three months between the introduction of the Bill and the first and second readings. “After the debate is concluded, between...

Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, says transitioning from a constitutional monarchy to a republic is critical to completing the move to independence. In an interview with SBS TV Australia, on October 26 at Jamaica House, Mrs. Malahoo Forte said the move to independence is “much larger than what has been done so far”. “The general...

The Bail Act 2022, which will reform the bail framework in the criminal justice system, was tabled in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (Oct. 5). The legislation, which will repeal and replace the existing Act of 2000, consists of 24 Clauses and four Schedules. Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, who tabled the Bill, said...

The Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs (MLCA) has received approval from the Finance and the Public Service Ministry for the implementation of its structure. Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Wayne O. Robertson, in a recent JIS News interview, said that a start-up organisational structure was accepted for core positions. “For example, the Permanent Secretary’s office will be fully...

The Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs is taking steps to strengthen capacity in legislative policy development. As part of the effort, the Ministry will be looking to engage the Management Institute for National Development (MIND) for the training of legislative teams within the various ministries. Acting Permanent Secretary, Wayne O. Robertson, said there will also be collaboration with the...

The Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs will be embarking on a public education campaign on the laws of Jamaica and the rights of citizens. The initiative will target technocrats and the wider public, with special emphasis on the legislative process, the role of stakeholders, as well as the Government’s legal and constitutional reform agendas. Acting Permanent Secretary in the...