-at launch of revised laws, law reports

-by Jarryl Bryan

Today marked the launch of the Revised Laws of Guyana and Law Reports, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

The last time a law revision was done locally was in 2012. The latest revised laws are a significant update to Guyana’s legal framework, covering legislation up to December 31, 2022.

Meanwhile, the Law Reports feature cases from 2008 to 2021, including the 2020 election related court cases which feature many recognisable names including then Presidential candidate Dr. Irfaan Ali.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who gave the feature address at today’s launch, stressed the importance of this exercise.

He noted that outdated laws or those which are inconsistently applied by the courts, undermine the foundation of justice.

“Access to justice is not achieved simply by having courts, judges and lawyers. It is achieved when justice is reachable, understandable and usable. Access to law is access to justice. Knowledge of rights is the first step in claiming that,” he said.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Anil Nandlall recalled that the law revision process was temporarily halted in 2015, when the then PPP/C government left office. 

He said that during APNU/AFC’s time in office, both law revision and compilation of law reports stagnated.

After the PPP/C returned to power in 2020, he sought and was granted immediate permission by President Dr. Irfaan Ali to resume both processes. 

In the case of the law reports, 750 sets of 14 volumes were printed, with the government funding the project at a cost of $92 Million.

“325 pieces of subsidiary legislation were revised. Funding for this portion of the project was again provided by the government of Guyana, at a cost of US$130,000,” he said.

Several state counsels are meanwhile being trained for future law report compilations.