PRESS RELEASES & ANNOUNCEMENTS
January 5, 2010
TRIBUTE TO RETIRED CHIEF JUSTICE, KENNETH GEORGE SMITH, OJ
The Jamaican Bar Association wishes to
express its profound sadness at the passing of Retired Chief Justice,
the Hon. KENNETH GEORGE SMITH, OJ, who made his transition on Monday,
December 21, 2009.
Chief Justice Smith commenced his stellar career as a public servant in
1940 when he was appointed an Assistant Clerk of the Courts in the
Resident Magistrates’ Court. He qualified as a Barrister-at-Law at
Lincoln’s Inn and in1956 was appointed a Crown Counsel in the
Attorney-General’s Chambers.
In 1965, three years after his appointment as Assistant
Attorney-General, he became a Judge of the Supreme Court and his
palpable ability, aptitude, attitude and dedication ensured that, in
1970, he was duly appointed to the Court of Appeal. He subsequently
served as Chief Justice of Jamaica from June, 1973 to July, 1985 and as
an appellate Judge in the Bahamas after he retired as Chief Justice of
Jamaica.
During his sojourn as an outstanding public servant, particularly when
he presided as a Judge, he distinguished himself for his encyclopaedic
knowledge, lucidity of thought, fairness and objectivity and his
courtesy to his fellow Judges, counsel, litigants, members of the public
and all those with whom he had occasion to deal. Chief Justice Smith was
a veritable gentleman, the consummate lawyer and a true credit to the
legal profession. His contribution to Jamaica’s justice system will be
enshrined in the halls of immortality.
The Jamaican Bar Association extends sincerest condolences to our
beloved colleague’s children, other family members, friends and
acquaintances. We are unquestionably much better and richer for having
him grace our lives.
May his soul rest in peace – requiescat in pace.
September 25, 2009
JRIU HEAD APPOINTED FOR THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
The Ministry of Justice today announced the appointment of Mr. B.I. “Teddy” Charles as Director of the Justice Reform Implementation Unit (JRIU), an independent autonomous body with oversight by the Ministry of Justice.
As Director of the JRIU, Mr. Charles is
required to provide strategic leadership under the Justice Undertakings
for Social Transformation (JUST) programme to the Justice Transformation
Agenda of the Government of Jamaica through:
• Implementing the Justice Transformation Policy Agenda Framework;
• Interfacing with Ministers, Heads of Agencies, International Donor
Partners, and other high level-liaisons to ensure cohesive
implementation of justice reform;
• Monitoring the pace and effectiveness of justice reform initiatives in
the Ministry of Justice as well as the interrelated programmes of the
public sector and international partners.
September 21, 2009
Renovations to the Robing Room at the Supreme Court
The Honourable Chief Justice has asked me to apologise to all Counsel for any inconvenience or disruption suffered as a consequence of work being carried out in the Robing Room at the Supreme Court. Normally her office would have notified us in advance however she has explained that she too was taken by surprise when confronted with ongoing work this morning. The Chief Justice had made arrangements for Counsel to use an alternative room for interviewing clients. In order to avail yourself of this you may contact the Registrar Ms. R. Harris who has been instructed by our Honourable Chief Justice to make this facility available to all Counsel.
September 17, 2009
Police told to shut down $15-m video identification system
Government lawyers have instructed the police to shut down its state-of-the-art video identification parade system, citing legal implications.
The ID system, which was commissioned in January this year, was funded to the tune of $15 million by the United States and United Kingdom governments.
"Before we implemented the system, we got legal advice from the Attorney General's Office that it was legal; now we are hearing that it is illegal. It is a retrograde step," said a police source ,who did not want to be named.
For years, identification parades took an inordinately long time to complete because of the archaic method which was available to local investigators. However, the new system, which was banned this week, allowed victims to identify suspects within a safe environment.
The police will now have to revert to the old system of compiling a line-up with persons of similar features, a far cry from the computerised version which stored more than 20,000 images on a database which is accessible with the click of a computer mouse.
September 1, 2009
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE TO ADDRESS BOTTLENECKS IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Senator the Hon. Dorothy
Lightbourne, today announced that a major step is being taken to reduce
bottlenecks in the legislative process by providing improved and more
timely legislative drafting services.
To this end, two highly skilled Canadian legislative drafters are
expected in the island by late this month, to assist the Government with
drafting several pieces of legislation. This will provide support not
only to staff members in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel but
also assist in the training of trainers to build capacity in the wider
public service.
The assistance from the two Canadian
drafters and Ms. Markman, forms part of the agreement under the Justice
Undertakings for Social Transformation (JUST) Program. Senator
Lightbourne said that the JUST Program aims to foster a sense of
security among Jamaicans, by contributing to the enhancement of the
justice system.
The Canadian Government, through the Canadian International Development
Agency (CIDA), in April 2009, agreed to provide CAD$18 million for this
four-year project.