10 new laptops for the Supreme Court!

Photo:
Managing Director, Intcomex Jamaica Ltd, Mr. Mathew Deleon Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Robert Rainford, President of the PSOJ, Mr. Joseph Matalon; Deputy Registrar, Commercial Court, Mrs. Jemelia Davis; Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Sen. Dorothy Lightbourne. (Photo by: JIS)

January 18, 2011 - The Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Dorothy Lightbourne yesterday accepted a donation from the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) of 10 new Lenovo ThinkPad Laptops to the Ministry of Justice.

The laptops, valued at USD$8,500, were presented to the Ministry at its head office on Oxford Road by PSOJ President, Mr. Joseph Matalon and Mr. Mathew Deleon of Intcomex Jamaica - the largest technology distributor in Latin American and the Caribbean. The laptops will be utilised by the Supreme Court to assist in administrative functions.

Upon accepting the donation, Minister Lightbourne stated: “The Government of Jamaica and by extension the Ministry has financial challenges, and so we welcome this generous donation from the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica and Intcomex Jamaica.

We, at the Ministry, are grateful for the donation, as these laptop computers will enhance the ability of the staff of Supreme Court to carry out their duties.”

She further highlighted the benefits to be gained from having the additional equipment with regard to the speedy production of transcripts. She highlighted that, in the past, transcripts of evidence could take up to a year to be produced and sent to the Court of Appeal, however with the implementation of the RealTime software, this can take three weeks. The additional computers she said will greatly enhance court reporters especially in the Supreme Court with their duties.

An extraordinary Jamaican

Another outstanding Jamaican, Professor Alton ‘Barry’ Chevannes has passed and while I am saddened by the loss, I am grateful to have worked such an extraordinary human being. His contribution to the Ministry of Justice through his chairmanship of the Jamaican Justice System Reform Task Force will change the face of the Judicial System.

“Justice as a word encapsulates even handedness and fairness, qualities that are fundamental to any self regulating social order.” These were the words penned by the late Professor Chevannes in his capacity as the Chairman of the Jamaican Justice System Reform Task Force. He wholeheartedly believed in these words and this made him an extraordinary chairman.

Already recommendations made by the Professor Chevannes-led team have come to fruition, namely the piloting of the Restorative Justice Programmes in four communities. Additionally, the establishment of an independent court services agency was recommended under the Modernisation of Court Administration. This recommendation laid the foundation for the Court Management Services (CMS) which, I am happy to report, is nearing competition. CMS will become the administrative arm of the Office of the Chief Justice, who is the head of the judiciary. The importance of this initiative is to fortify the independence of the judiciary arm of government.

Under the Modernisation plan, a Legal Reform Department was also established to enhance the Ministry’s ability to be pro-active with the introduction of new legislation and the repeal of others in accordance with the Justice Reform Policy Agenda Framework.

Over and above his Chairmanship of the Jamaican Justice System Task Force, he made invaluable contributions to a number of government-appointed committees, namely the National Commission on Ganja; chaired the Council of the Institute of Jamaica, he was a member of the Peace Management Initiative of the Minister of National Security, he also co-chaired the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development. His research on Rastafarianism greatly increased our understanding of that religion and his leadership of Fathers Inc, a support group that helped to develop and instill positive values in young men, inspired hundreds of young men.

Professor Chevannes went above and beyond the call of duty, and through his life’s work, he exemplified what it is to be “Caribbean Man” as he had an unwavering love for his country and for the region. He paid his due in a bid to effect change on the land of his birth as he knew and believed that making his country a better place, began with him, and in my view, will continue through the people he inspired.

He will be greatly missed and celebrated as a Caribbean intellectual, and an advocate for social and economic transformation, for generations to come. I extend heartfelt sympathy to the Chevannes family in their time of bereavement.

More than $60m spent on courthouse repairs islandwide

More than JMD$60m was spent by the Government of Jamaica through the Ministry of Justice to repair courthouses across the island between November 2008 and June 2010.

The works ranged from, but were not limited to, the installation of air-conditioning units; the construction of jury and witness boxes; the installation of new windows; tiling; concrete paving; and roof repairs.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), Robert Rainford said the repairs to the courthouses are ongoing and the MOJ is doing everything financially possible to keep them all properly maintained for the citizens of our country.

In 2008 some JMD$12.4m was spent on the repairs of a number of courthouses, namely: Port Antonio Resident Magistrates Court (RMC), Lucea RMC, and the Sutton Street Court, while in 2009, major and minor repairs were carried out on 20 buildings across the island at a cost of more than JMD$44m. These include the Supreme Court; the Resident Magistrates Court in: Balaclava, Bown’s Town, Portmore, May Pen, Half Way Tree, Port Antonio, Mandeville, Savana-la-Mar, Montego Bay, St Ann’s Bay, Lionel Town, Linstead, Falmouth, Lucea, Richmond, Chapelton, Old Harbour.

Since the start of the year, 10 courthouses that required major and minor renovations were repaired at a cost of more than JMD$6m.

Presently the New Lucea Family Court is being constructed at a cost of JMD$62m; however the construction is being funded by the European Union under a $1.4billion poverty alleviation programme. Ground was broken for that project on February 18, 2010.

The Minister wishes to assure the public that the improvement and maintainance of the courthouses is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Justice.

Senate Approves Duty Free Shopping Amendment

On Friday, July 23, 2010, the Senate passed The Duty Free Shopping System Act, a Bill that allows arriving and departing passengers (which includes residents and tourists) at the international airports to make duty free purchases upon arrival into the country.

“This (the Bill) is in keeping with the Government’s policy to encourage and increase tourist arrival and spending which could result in increased hard currency earning accruing to Jamaica and to improve our position in the duty free industry.” Minister of Justice, Attorney General and Leader of Government Business, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne said.

“The duty free industry worldwide is a multi-billion dollar one, in 2002, it was valued at US$20 billion.” She further cited that the industry experienced a number of challenges since September 11, 2001 (9/11) and the recent recession, however, the multiplier potential of the industry on the economy cannot be ignored.

The main purpose is to offer arriving visitors and residents the option to defer duty free purchases until their arrival at the airports in Jamaica. The Inbond shops would be located at the airport before processing for immigration and customs and would provide convenient shopping for arriving passengers. The goods purchased, she informed, would be treated in the same manner as duty free goods purchased at the port of embarkation of or on the aircraft before arrival.

For Jamaican nationals the goods would be assessed in accordance with the duty free allowance of US$500.00, eligible to passengers over the age of 18 years.
She also informed that the schedule of approved goods has been amended to expand the number of items for sale in a bid to provide a more complete shopping experience. The additional items include leather wear; perfumed soaps, sunglasses; loose gem stones (precious and semi-precious cut and polished); watch straps; watch bracelets and other watch accessories and writing instruments (including mechanical pencils).

The idea of duty of arrival Duty Free shopping is not new as the Airport Authority, she said, has been pursuing this aspect of tourism since the early 1990s. She also added that our Caribbean counterparts including Trinidad and Tobago, St. Maartin, Barbados and Panama have already established arrival duty free shopping systems.

Additionally, Senator Lightbourne said the Bill seeks to revise the penalties associated with the operation of duty free shops, to improve the administrative procedures for monitoring the In-bond system by requiring periodic returns, to ensure that the holder of a duty free operations licence has sufficient resources to carry out his operations, and to provide for the removal of certain restrictions on the number of display centres in the parish in which the licensed duty free shop is located.

Concerns were raised by an Opposition members with regard to the list of approved items as some of the items were deemed outdated, for example, cassette players, hi-fi components, and record changers or players. There was a collective agreement that these items be struck from the list and replaced with more modern gadgets such as the iPods, iPads, MP3 players, CD players etc.

Senator Kamina Johnson Smith assured members that the list of prescribed items will be updated to reflect 2010 technology. “I am very pleased to assure this House that the Honourable Minister has already charged the Tax Policy Division with an amendment to the Schedule, to remove the items to which you have referred to and update them in language that is technologically neutral and, accordingly, will move with the times…”

“We are already on the job,” she said.

MOJ Press Release: Balaclava Court House

(Photograph: Balaclava Court House in St Elizabeth)

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) wishes to inform residents and members of the legal fraternity that the Balaclava Courthouse in St. Elizabeth is substantially complete.

While there has been a delay in the completion, the Ministry is working assiduously, with all concerned, to address the issues.

Mr. Robert Rainford, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice said all furnishings are in place and are ready to be moved into the building.

The contract was terminated by the contractor prior to completion and as recent as Saturday July 17, 2010, a team from the Ministry carried out a site visit.

The Ministry is making every effort to have the outstanding issues resolved so that the building will be ready for its intended use.

MOJ to increase and extend training of Lay Magistrates and Justices of the Peace

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) is embarking on a number of initiatives that will improve the Jamaican justice system, and as a result, will require greater participation of Justices of the Peace and Lay Magistrates, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne said yesterday.
Senator Lightbourne was speaking at the 25th Anniversary Service of the Lay Magistrates Association of Jamaica held at the St. Luke’s Anglican Church on Sunday, July 18.

Speaking to the initiatives that are already underway, she said, the Ministry will be increasing and extending the training of lay magistrates.

“First, to enable them (Lay Magistrates and Justices of the Peace) to try more serious cases, for example, in the traffic courts. This will ease the burden of the resident magistrates and allow them to dedicate their time to more serious cases. Second, this will speed up the judicial process,” Sen. Lightbourne said.

The Restorative and Community Justice Project, she said, is now being piloted in four communities across Jamaica, namely: Tower Hill, St Andrew; Granville, St James; May Pen, Clarendon and Spanish Town, St. Catherine.

“Many justices of the peace have already been trained in the practice of restorative justice and to serve on community justice panels which they will chair. These panels will aid the community in settling disturbances and other grievances in a manner beneficial to the victim, offender and the community.”

Another initiative of the Ministry, she highlighted, was Child Diversion which seeks to divert young offenders from the penal system. “The Child Diversion Policy is now undergoing consultation and will be submitted to Cabinet shortly for approval.”

The overall aim is to establish Child Diversion Committees throughout Jamaica which will be responsible, among other things, for monitoring those children who have been diverted from the penal system as well as assisting in determining the best course of treatment to ensure their rehabilitation into society, Sen. Lightbourne explained.

Justices of the peace will be called to sit on these committees, she added.

The Attorney General lauded the Justices of the Peace and Lay Magistrates for their invaluable contribution, the unselfish service they have given, and encouraged them to continue to fulfill their duties with love, integrity, honesty and dignity.
Lay magistrates, the Minister said, are essential to the Government’s effort to provide to the Jamaican people a justice system that is accessible, efficient and fair.

Ministry of Justice working toward the construction of new court facility for Morant Bay

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) wishes to advise the residents of Morant Bay that the Ministry has been working over an extended period of time toward the construction of a temporary facility to house the courts.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Robert Rainford indicated that the MOJ purchased lands from the St. Thomas Parish Council to build a Parish Judicial Complex.

Plans have already been drawn up for the construction that permanent structure and funding is to be identified.

In the interim, a temporary facility is to be established on lands that have been identified and the estimated construction period is four months.

It is to be constructed on lands donated by the Ministry of Transport and Works. If approval is received for the use of direct contracting process, a complete and useable facility would be ready in three to four months.