Members of the Upper House today (June 23) paid tribute to former Senator and Minister of Government, the Hon. Carlyle Dunkley, who died recently. In his tribute, Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid described, Mr. Dunkley as a committed public servant who served Jamaica for more than 40 years in various ministerial posts and as...

Debate on the Plea Negotiations and Agreement Act, 2017, which provides for a system of plea bargaining for persons who commit crimes, was suspended in the Senate on Friday, May 26. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, explained that this was due to concerns raised by Senators on certain sections of the Bill....

The Senate has passed amendments to the Defence Act to, among other things, establish a new arm of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) to be known as the Jamaica National Service Corps (JNSC). The Bill, which was piloted by Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., also formalises the Chief of Defence...

The Senate debate on the Arbitration Bill has been deferred to facilitate a review of the proposed amendments by Opposition members. The Bill is intended to repeal and replace the Arbitration Act of 1900 by providing an effective non-judicial mechanism for settling disputes between contracting parties. It is based on the guidelines of the Model Law published by the United...

The Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) will now gain university status, following the passage of legislation in both Houses of Parliament to effect this. The Senate on Friday (February 24) approved the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) Bill 2017, with 26 amendments. It will repeal the Caribbean Maritime Institute Act, under which the institution operates. In piloting the legislation, Minister of Education...

The General Consumption Tax (GCT) Regulations, enabling several entities to file a single tax return, were approved by the Senate on Friday (January 20). This followed endorsement of the Regulations Committee’s report regarding the GCT (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2015, under the GCT Act. Minister of  Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, in presenting the report to the...

The Senate, on Friday (December 16), approved two Bills that will establish a regulatory framework to attract and support investment in Jamaica’s horse-racing industry and facilitate the development of Caymanas Track into a modern, world-class facility. The Bills – the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act and the Jamaica Racing Commission (Amendment) Act – were piloted by Minister of State...