April 19, 2011 - In a bid to clear the arrears owed to lawyers who provide legal aid services in criminal justice system, the Ministry of Justice has paid over a total of $41,123,500.00.
The payments were made in three parts between the months of December 2010 and April 2011.
1. December 22, 2010 - $8,111,000.00
2. February 11, 2011 - $4,962,500.00
3. March 31, 2011 - $28,050,000.00
Executive Director of the Legal Aid Council, Mr. Hugh Faulkner, expressed gratitude to the attorneys on the panel for their contribution to the Legal Aid Scheme and asked for their continued support.
“I am greatful that the government has responded positively to the financial requirements of the Legal Aid Council and in the same breath, I express my gratitude to the lawyers who tirelessly work on behalf of accused persons and suspects in the criminal justice system,” Mr. Faulkner said.
Minister of Justice, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, who also expressed gratitude said although the Ministry is strapped for cash, the attorneys are very important to the delivery of justice to persons in the criminal justice system who are unable to afford representation.
“I thank the attorneys for their patience and invaluable contribution to the delivery of justice in Jamaica. The Ministry of Justice will continue to work with the Ministry of Finance and Public Service to make further payments,” Sen. Lightbourne said.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Request for Extradition of Tony Ashman
The Minister of Justice categorically denies that the non-signing of the authority to proceed - in the case of Tony Ashman - is a result of any dispute between the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The British authorities requested the Jamaican authorities to issue a provisional warrant for the arrest of Ashman - pending the submission of authenticated documents for his extradition.
The warrant was issued by the Resident Magistrate and Ashman was arrested and taken before the courts where he consented to be returned to Britain, but no authority to proceed had been issued or could have been issued by the Minister because the authenticated documents had not been sent - as is required by the Extradition Act.
The Minister then requested the British authorities to send her the authenticated documents expeditiously, to enable her to issue the authority to proceed.
The British authorities promised to send the authenticated documents as soon as possible, but have not yet done so; consequently the Minster is not in a position to issue the authority to proceed.
Please note, the fact that Mr. Ashman has been released does not preclude further proceedings for his extradition.
The Minister is prepared to sign the authority to proceed, as soon as she receives the authenticated documents from the British authorities and provided that they satisfy the requirements of the Extradition Act.
The British authorities requested the Jamaican authorities to issue a provisional warrant for the arrest of Ashman - pending the submission of authenticated documents for his extradition.
The warrant was issued by the Resident Magistrate and Ashman was arrested and taken before the courts where he consented to be returned to Britain, but no authority to proceed had been issued or could have been issued by the Minister because the authenticated documents had not been sent - as is required by the Extradition Act.
The Minister then requested the British authorities to send her the authenticated documents expeditiously, to enable her to issue the authority to proceed.
The British authorities promised to send the authenticated documents as soon as possible, but have not yet done so; consequently the Minster is not in a position to issue the authority to proceed.
Please note, the fact that Mr. Ashman has been released does not preclude further proceedings for his extradition.
The Minister is prepared to sign the authority to proceed, as soon as she receives the authenticated documents from the British authorities and provided that they satisfy the requirements of the Extradition Act.
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