(Jan. 15, 2021) On December 8, 2020, Jamaica’s House of Representatives passed amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1948, and the Evidence Act, 1843. If enacted, the amendments would introduce new procedures for securing and disposing of drugs seized in connection with drug crimes and enable the admission of drug samples and recorded images as […]
Topic: Controlled substances, Crime and law enforcement, Criminal procedure, Discovery and evidence, Drug trafficking, Law enforcement officers, Legislative process, Police power, Trials and court proceedings
(Aug. 26, 2020) On August 11, 2020, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced in Parliament that early elections would be held on September 3, 2020, with “Nomination Day” scheduled for August 18, 2020. Holness stated that the rise in COVID-19 cases and the devastating effects of the pandemic on employment in the country demanded “responsibility and […]
Topic: Campaign finance, Elections and politics, Emergency management, Epidemics, Government, Infectious and parasitic diseases, Legislative elections, Political advertising, Public health, Public participation and lobbying
(Dec. 21, 2017) A bill, which if passed would become the Data Protection Act, 2017, was introduced in the Jamaican House of Representatives on October 10, 2017. (Data Protection Act 2017 (the Bill) (filed Aug. 28, 2017), Parliament of Jamaica website; George Lynch, Jamaica Takes First Step Toward Comprehensive Privacy Law, BLOOMBERG LAW (Oct. 13, […]
Topic: Crime and law enforcement, Right of privacy
(May 30, 2017) On May 17, 2017, the Jamaican House of Representatives reportedly passed the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017. (An Act to Amend the Companies Law (Amendment Act), 2017, Jamaica House of Parliament website; Companies Act, Act 10 of 2004 (the Act), Organization of American States website; see also Increased Transparency Provisions in Amended Companies […]
(Dec. 14, 2015) On December 10, 2015, Jamaican human rights activist Maurice Tomlinson filed a complaint with the country’s Supreme Court of Judicature against some provisions of the Offences Against the Person Act that outlaw sexual conduct between two consenting men. (Ashley Hogan, Jamaica Rights Activist Challenges Homosexuality Ban, PAPER CHASE (Dec. 10, 2015); The […]
Topic: Crime and law enforcement, LGBT rights, Sex offenses
(Oct. 25, 2012) On September 26, 2012, <?Jamaica's Parliament approved the Income Tax (Amendment) Act 2012. The goal of the amended law, once it is formally adopted, is to encourage foreign companies to set up their headquarters in Jamaica. Regulations for the Act are expected to follow. (A Bill Entitled an Act to Amend the […]
(Apr. 19, 2010) In an apparent attempt to diffuse a bitter dispute with the United States over an extradition request presented by U.S. officials, Prime Minister Bruce Golding of Jamaica has asked the courts to review his actions in the case. The subject of the request is Christopher “Dudus” Coke, who is an alleged “drug […]
(Dec. 19, 2008) In 2007, Jamaica had more than 1,400 murders. (Neil Clark, HolidayParadise Brings Back the Hangman, EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS, Nov. 29, 2008, LEXIS-NEXIS, News Library, 60 Days File.) Concern over this extremely high rate for a country of less than three million persons has led the government to promise to end Jamaica's 20-year moratorium […]
(Feb. 2, 2008) In 1974, at the time of the first "oil shock," Japan's Diet (parliament) passed a law to amend the Tax Special Measures Law (Law No. 26 of 1957, as amended by Law No. 17 of 1974). The amendment added an increased gasoline tax rate for two years. Since then, the term has […]
