Guyana’s judicial landscape is poised for significant enhancement with a series of new legislation set to be debated in the National Assembly later this week.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall revealed details of these bills, emphasizing their potential to modernize the country’s justice system.
One of the key bills to be discussed is the Arbitration Bill, heralded as one of the most advanced in the hemisphere.
According to Nandlall, this legislation has been tailored using the CARICOM model and incorporates input from major arbitration firms.
Importantly, clauses have been included to facilitate the establishment of international arbitral centers within Guyana.
In addition to the Arbitration Bill, several other crucial pieces of legislation will be presented for debate, including the Criminal Procedure (Plea Discussion, Plea Agreement, and Assistance Agreement) Bill, the Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Bill, and the Criminal Law Procedure (Paper Committals) Bill.
Furthermore, Nandlall announced plans for the publication of Guyana’s law reports covering the period from 2009 to 2021.
He underscored the significance of incorporating recent legal developments, particularly during the notable five-month period, into the reports.
The availability of these law reports will provide invaluable resources for legal professionals and scholars alike.
It is worth noting that while the focus is primarily on judicial reform, the National Assembly will also deliberate on other bills unrelated to the judiciary.
These include the Defence (Amendment) Bill and the Sea and River Defence Bill, among others.
The introduction of these legislative measures signals a concerted effort to strengthen Guyana’s legal framework and uphold the principles of justice in the country.
Reported by Josiah Williams