Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall has announced that a number of Judicial appointments will be made soon, in an effort to increase the number of Magistrates and Judges in the country to better dispense of cases.

He made the anouncement during his defence of the Government’s national budget.

The Attorney General told the Assembly that “the Judicial Service Commission has been appointed, and this year Mr. Speaker, appointments are going to be made – six justices of appeal will be appointed, nine puisne judges will be appointed to the High Court, two Commissioners of Title will be appointed and 10 magistrates will be appointed – bringing the total magistrates to 29, and new posts have also been created to accommodate for the large intake of cases”.

A number of Magistrates’ Courts are also being constructed in various parts of the country, the National Assembly was told.

Mr. Nandlall said that the rule of law and an independent Judiciary are the foundation upon which modern societies rest. He said a nation cannot progress economically unless those prerequisites are in place.

It was explained that the Government is working to create a modern legislative framework, as well as strong legal institutions and systems, and in keeping with its manifesto promise.

He also announced that the Constitutional Reform Commission will be appointed soon.

The Attorney General also told the National Assembly that before the end of the first quarter for this year, his Chambers will conclude the revision of the Laws of Guyana. 

“Within the first quarter of this year, we will publish the new Laws of Guyana.  Also, before the first quarter of this year, we will publish the Guyana Law Reports for the 2008 to 2020,” he added. 

The Sexual Offenses Act and the Evidence Act, are among the laws to be reviewed.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nandlall told the National Assembly that the Government will move ahead with plans to construction another Hope and Justice Centre at Vergenoegen on the East Bank of Essequibo to complement the recently commissioned centre at Lusignan on the East Coast of Demerara.

“It would provide a unique combination of services never provided in this country before. It will have social and counselling services, you will have legal services, you will have medical services, you will have police protection, you will have restorative justice services, and you will have accommodation. And the persons we are providing all those services for are the victims of domestic violence, are the victims of trafficking, the victims of sexual violence and the victims of child labour, the most vulnerable part of our society,” he explained. 

He said a new building to house the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Onderneeming, Region Two will be completed by the end of the year while a Deeds and Commercial Registry building will be constructed at Suddie, with another one to be built at New Amsterdam. 

It was disclosed as well that the Government hopes to conclude arrangements for a new headquarters for the Deeds and Commercial Registry in the capital city.

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