Georgetown: Government announced that it will be dealing with the protection of state witnesses in criminal matters, and as such Attorney General Anil Nandlall said Government will table approximately six bills before the National Assembly for 2014; being the Justice Protection Bill and the Whistle-blowers Protection Bill.
In addition, he said the administration will table the Juvenile Justice Bill, the Bail Act Bill, the Anti-gang Bill and the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority Bill.
It was explained that the Juvenile Justice Bill is being crafted to repeal the Juvenile Officer’s Act Chapter 10:03 and the Training Schools Act, Chapter 11:06.
This bill is expected to clarify the law as it relates to juveniles who commit offences, combining all related laws in one accessible statutory instrument and regulating procedures and processes in that document.
On the other hand, the Bail Act Bill seeks to provide for the release from custody of accused persons in criminal proceedings. The Anti-gang Bill proposes to provide for the prosecution of persons who participate in gangs. Similarly the Justice Protection Bill is being designed to provide the necessary protection after serving as a witness. This will be under on a strategised programme.
The Whistle-blowers Protection Bill will also provide for the procedure by which individuals in both the private and public sector, may in the public interest disclose information that relates to irregular, illegal or corrupt practices; to provide for the protection against victimisation of persons who make such disclosures.
Meanwhile, the Deeds and Commercial Registry which also falls under the ambit of the Legal Affairs Ministry will continue to undergo legislative changes. The Minister pointed out that the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority Bill was assented to on May 31, 2013, Act Number Three of 2013. In 2013 the Deeds Registry raked in $1 billion in revenues and this year’s projections are set at $1.369 billion.
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