As part of the construction of Phase 1 of Justice Square, the Ministry of Justice today signed a contract valued at more than JMD$15.3 m for the construction of a pedestrian bridge that will connect the Supreme Court and the Old NCB Building - which is an expansion of the Supreme Court. The signing took place at the Ministry’s Head Office on Oxford Road.
The metal bridge that is to extend above Barry Street, in Downtown Kingston, will be constructed by Tankweld Limited. Construction of the bridge will begin immediately (off-site) and installation will be done within the next six months.
This project will be financed from the Ministry’s Capital A Budget for 2011/2012.
“We want to see Justice Square completed this fiscal year, and the construction of this bridge, in addition to the renovations now taking place, shows the Ministry’s and by extension the Government’s commitment to the completion of this project.
“The project is part of the Reform Policy Agenda of the Ministry to achieve fair and timely case resolution and improved access to justice by increasing the number of courtrooms and judges and the establishment of a sound court infrastructure,” said Justice Minister, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne.
Some three months ago (February 23, 2011), the Ministry signed a contract valued at JMD$399 m which initiated Phase 1 of the construction. Repair works began on both the Supreme Court and the Old NCB Building in April 2011.
The Old NCB Building will house four courtrooms, four Judges’ Chambers and two Chambers for the Masters in Chambers of the Supreme Court. The building will also house the Supreme Court Civil registry, the registry for matrimonial matters, holding areas, two witnesses’ rooms, a police post, and support areas for the full staff complement.
Similarly, the Supreme Court renovations will result in the addition of three courtrooms, three Judges’ Chambers and one Chamber for the Masters in Chambers, well as a jury deliberation room.
Following the signing of the contract, Sen. Lightbourne reiterated that Justice Square is an important investment for Jamaica as it is necessary to bring about the requisite improvements in the justice system, despite the challenging economic times the country continues to face.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
$40 m paid to legal aid lawyers
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.
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.
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.
Monday, March 28, 2011
$45 m contract for St Thomas court facility signed
The Ministry of Justice, this morning, signed a contract valued at JMD$45 m for the construction of an interim court facility which will be located on Church Street in Morant Bay on lands donated the National Works Agency (NWA).
Construction is slated to begin on 11th of April 2011 and the expected construction period will be approximately four months. The contract was awarded to Mustang Construction and Engineering Company Limited.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Robert Rainford said the Ministry has submitted - in its budget for the 2011-2012 to the Ministry of Finance and Public Service - a request for the funding in the amount of $870 m for the St Thomas Parish Complex which will be constructed in the near future.
Construction is slated to begin on 11th of April 2011 and the expected construction period will be approximately four months. The contract was awarded to Mustang Construction and Engineering Company Limited.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Robert Rainford said the Ministry has submitted - in its budget for the 2011-2012 to the Ministry of Finance and Public Service - a request for the funding in the amount of $870 m for the St Thomas Parish Complex which will be constructed in the near future.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
$399 m Justice Square contract signed
February 24, 2011 – The Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne yesterday signed a contract valued at $JMD399 m that will initiate the construction of Phase One of Justice Square.
The contract was signed at the Ministry’s head office on Oxford Road in the presence of officials from the Ministry and the contractors who were awarded the contract, MLO Construction.
The project, in totality, will cost $399,962,371.54 and the construction period is expected to last approximately 13 months.
National Court Implementation Committee (NCIC)
In 2009, the Minister of Justice invited Ferris Ziadie, businessman, to chair the National Court Implementation Committee (NCIC), the objectives of which are to modernize and improve the court facilities island wide, starting with Justice Square. The Committee was directed to expand the physical facilities of the Supreme Court and as such negotiated the acquisition of the Old NCB Building which will facilitate the expansion of the Supreme Court.
Justice Square
In that same year, the Ministry of Justice announced the acquisition of the Old NCB Building on King Street to facilitate the creation of Justice Square. The acquisition, which cost the Ministry approximately JMD$128 m, included land, building, fixtures, a standby generator and a parking lot located on Church Street.
This ambitious and necessary construction project –Justice Square – will include extensive renovation of the Old NCB Building; and the refurbishing of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
At this point, the Ministry is one step closer to making Justice Square a reality following Cabinet approval of the project on 13th of December 2010.
Presently, there are 12 court rooms in the existing Supreme Court building and the construction and renovation of both the Old NCB Building and The Supreme Court will increase this number to 19.
The artist impression of Justice Square depicts a state of the art building with modern facilities, unlike any of the existing facilities in the justice system.
The creation of Justice Square, Minister Lightbourne said will significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Jamaican justice system, for the benefit of all our citizens. Further, the establishment of this facility will address a myriad of concerns voiced repeatedly by Jamaicans, two of which are the backlog of cases and inadequate court room space.
“One of the Ministry’s priority projects for this fiscal year is the start of the construction and renovation works at Justice Square, which includes interior construction works on the Old NCB Building at 52-54 King Street and the extension and refurbishing of the Supreme Court Building in order to increase the number of court rooms and Judges’ Chambers to meet the high demand for space”, the Minister added.
The total floor area of new renovation works to both buildings is more than 5,200 square metres. (The Old NCB Building 4,373.98 and the Supreme Court 904 square metres)
The works that will be done on the Old NCB Building include the demolition of internal components, the carting away of debris and new renovation works and alterations of the existing basement, the ground floor, first floor and sky bridge entry to the second level. Extensive alterations to, and the addition of new mechanical and electrical, engineering systems and external works will also be carried out.
This building (Old NCB), will house four courtrooms, four Judges’ Chambers and two Chambers for the Masters of the Supreme Court. The building will also house the High Court Civil registry, the registry for matrimonial matters, holding areas, two witnesses’ rooms, police posts, and support areas for the full staff compliment.
For the Supreme Court, the works will entail demolition of some internal components as well as new renovation works and alterations of the existing ground floor and third floors in addition to mechanical and electrical engineering services to the renovated areas.
The renovations will result in modification to five courtrooms, the addition of three criminal courtrooms, three Judges’ Chambers as well as a jury deliberation room to name a few of the critical improvements.
The contract was signed at the Ministry’s head office on Oxford Road in the presence of officials from the Ministry and the contractors who were awarded the contract, MLO Construction.
The project, in totality, will cost $399,962,371.54 and the construction period is expected to last approximately 13 months.
National Court Implementation Committee (NCIC)
In 2009, the Minister of Justice invited Ferris Ziadie, businessman, to chair the National Court Implementation Committee (NCIC), the objectives of which are to modernize and improve the court facilities island wide, starting with Justice Square. The Committee was directed to expand the physical facilities of the Supreme Court and as such negotiated the acquisition of the Old NCB Building which will facilitate the expansion of the Supreme Court.
Justice Square
In that same year, the Ministry of Justice announced the acquisition of the Old NCB Building on King Street to facilitate the creation of Justice Square. The acquisition, which cost the Ministry approximately JMD$128 m, included land, building, fixtures, a standby generator and a parking lot located on Church Street.
This ambitious and necessary construction project –Justice Square – will include extensive renovation of the Old NCB Building; and the refurbishing of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
At this point, the Ministry is one step closer to making Justice Square a reality following Cabinet approval of the project on 13th of December 2010.
Presently, there are 12 court rooms in the existing Supreme Court building and the construction and renovation of both the Old NCB Building and The Supreme Court will increase this number to 19.
The artist impression of Justice Square depicts a state of the art building with modern facilities, unlike any of the existing facilities in the justice system.
The creation of Justice Square, Minister Lightbourne said will significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Jamaican justice system, for the benefit of all our citizens. Further, the establishment of this facility will address a myriad of concerns voiced repeatedly by Jamaicans, two of which are the backlog of cases and inadequate court room space.
“One of the Ministry’s priority projects for this fiscal year is the start of the construction and renovation works at Justice Square, which includes interior construction works on the Old NCB Building at 52-54 King Street and the extension and refurbishing of the Supreme Court Building in order to increase the number of court rooms and Judges’ Chambers to meet the high demand for space”, the Minister added.
The total floor area of new renovation works to both buildings is more than 5,200 square metres. (The Old NCB Building 4,373.98 and the Supreme Court 904 square metres)
The works that will be done on the Old NCB Building include the demolition of internal components, the carting away of debris and new renovation works and alterations of the existing basement, the ground floor, first floor and sky bridge entry to the second level. Extensive alterations to, and the addition of new mechanical and electrical, engineering systems and external works will also be carried out.
This building (Old NCB), will house four courtrooms, four Judges’ Chambers and two Chambers for the Masters of the Supreme Court. The building will also house the High Court Civil registry, the registry for matrimonial matters, holding areas, two witnesses’ rooms, police posts, and support areas for the full staff compliment.
For the Supreme Court, the works will entail demolition of some internal components as well as new renovation works and alterations of the existing ground floor and third floors in addition to mechanical and electrical engineering services to the renovated areas.
The renovations will result in modification to five courtrooms, the addition of three criminal courtrooms, three Judges’ Chambers as well as a jury deliberation room to name a few of the critical improvements.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
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.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
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.
“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.
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