Debate on the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Bill, popularly called the ‘anti-gang’ legislation, began in the Senate on February 28. The Bill makes provision for the disruption and suppression of criminal organisations and outlines offences, in order to restore a sense of security in the Jamaican society and strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies to deal with...

The Senate passed the Conch (Export Levy) (2013 Conch Season) (Special Provisions) Act 2013 on December 20, to allow exporters to complete payment of the conch export levy in instalments. The Act permits exporters to complete payment of the export levy within three months of the date of submission of the application for an export health certificate and export licence...

The Senate on Friday, December 13, passed the Securities (Amendment) Act, to combat the establishment and proliferation of unlawful financial organizations. In piloting the Bill, Minister of Justice, Hon. Mark Golding, said the Bill was drafted due to the urgent need for the Financial Services commission (FSC) to be equipped with adequate legislative powers to supervise and regulate the Jamaican securities...

The Senate on Friday, December 6, passed the Omnibus legislation which seeks to establish a transparent and coherent regime to govern all tax incentives. The Bills passed are the Fiscal Incentives (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act; and the Income Tax Relief (Large Scale Projects and Pioneer Industries) Act 2013. The Fiscal Incentives (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013 sets out the reforms to be...

The Senate has approved five Orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), as part of measures to combat the issue of money laundering. They are: Proceeds of Crime (Designated Non-Financial Institution) (Gaming Machine Operators) Order; Proceeds of Crime (Designated Non-Financial Institution) (Real Estate Dealers) Order; Proceeds of Crime (Designated Non-Financial Institution) (Attorneys-at-law) Order; Proceeds of Crime (Designated Non-Financial Institution)...

A Bill to enable Jamaica’s fulfillment of its commitments to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), was passed in the Upper House on November 1 with bi-partisan support. The United Nations Security Council Implementation Act 2013 also allows Jamaica to put into practice declarations passed by the UN Security Council under Chapter VII of its Charter, which deals specifically...

More persons are expected to be brought under the tax net consequent on the passage of the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2013, in both Houses of Parliament. The Bill was passed in the Senate on Friday (October 18) with two amendments, following its approval in the Lower House on Tuesday (October 15). Justice Minister, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding,...