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A Bill providing for the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor as a department of Government was passed in the Senate on Friday, January 14. Minister of Justice and Leader of Government Business, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, who piloted the Corruption Prevention (Special Prosecutor) Act, informed that the department will be responsible for the investigation and prosecution of corrupt...

Rev. Don Meredith has created history, becoming the first Jamaican and the fourth black person to be appointed to the Senate in Canada. Prime Minister of Canada, the Hon. Stephen Harper, who announced the appointment of Rev. Meredith and former Canadian Football League Commissioner, Larry Smith to the Senate on December 20, said that "both are well regarded and visible...

The Senate has passed legislation to protect the country's clearing and settlement systems from disruptions that could lead to instability in the financial sector, and create loss of confidence in the public payment regime. The reforms are being carried out under internationally accepted standards and practices, to ensure its safety and efficiency. The Payment Clearing and Settlement Act, 2010 was...

The Senate is expected to give its approval to a Bill amending the National Health Fund (NHF) Act, to make the Fund responsible for procuring, warehousing and distributing medical supplies for Government-owned health facilities, when it meets on Friday (November 12). Minister of Health, the Hon Rudyard Spencer, negotiated the Bill through the House of Representatives, where it was approved...

The Senate has approved an amendment to the Criminal Justice (Plea Negotiations and Agreement) Amendment Act, removing sentencing restrictions on judges involved in plea bargaining cases. The amendment removes the mandatory minimum penalty which has to be observed by the judges in plea bargaining cases under the Act. It was passed Friday (November 5) in the Senate. Attorney General and...

A Bill amending the Tourist (Duty Free) Shopping System Act, which allows persons arriving at the international airports to make duty free purchases on their arrival into the country, was passed in the Senate on Friday July 23. Attorney General, Minister of Justice and Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Senator the Hon. Dorothy Lightbourne, who piloted the Bill,...

The Senate has approved a Bill protecting the Child Development Agency (CDA) and its employees from any action flowing from a 2005 blunder, in which the Child Care and Protection (Children's Homes) Regulations were gazetted before being approved by Parliament. The Bill effectively validated and confirmed acts done "in good faith" by the CDA and any person having official duties...

The Senate, on Friday July 9, passed an amendment to the Jury Act to allow for majority verdict in non-capital cases. It provides that, in cases where the sentencing options do no include the death penalty, no less than nine members of a 12-member jury may return a verdict. Minister of Justice and Leader of Government Business, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne,...

The Senate has passed the six anti-crime Bills, first brought to Parliament in 2008 by the Government to support its efforts to reduce crime and violence in the country. Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte The Bills are: an Act to amend the Bail Act; an Act to...

An Opposition Motion seeking to censure Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, for her actions during the process of the extradition of Christopher Coke was easily defeated in the Senate Friday (July 2). Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Hon Dorothy Lightbourne The Motion, brought by Opposition Senator, Sandrea Falconer, was defeated by a count of...

The Six Anti-Crime Bills, which will form part of the Government's initiative to fight crime, were tabled in the Senate, Friday (June 25). Minister of National Security, Senator the Hon. Dwight Nelson and Minister of Justice and Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Hon. Dorothy Lightbourne, tabled the Bills. The Bills are: an Act to amend the Bail Act;...

The Senate gave approval on Friday (June 18) to two Bills postponing Local Government Elections to 2011. The elections, which were to be held by June 30 this year, are now scheduled to be held no later than March 30, 2011. Bills amending the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) Act and the Parish Councils Act to allow for the...