MANDEVILLE, Manchester — The Manchester Chapter of the Lay Magistrates' Association is soon to have a home of its own as ground was recently broken on premises just outside this south central town.

The Chapter, which started in 1992, will be housed at 24 Grove Road on roughly one acre of land leased from the Jamaican Government. It currently operates out of the Golf View Hotel.

Justice of the Peace Homer Brodie said the project will cost over $30m and will be done in three phases. Efforts are being made to complete the first phase by the time the current administration demits office, in June of next year, he said.

Ulit Brackett, president of the association, said the lay magistrates are looking forward to completing the project and are willing to continue efforts to raise both cash and kind to that end.

For his role in the process to date, Mandeville businessman and Justice of the Peace Artie Phillips has earned special recognition.

"Between 2000 and 2008 Justice Artie Phillips had donated a plot of land in one of his sub-divisions at Malvern (St Elizabeth) towards the cause. (He) sold the lot and handed over the proceeds, some $800,000 to the association. That money became the foundation fund of this project," read a section of the project overview.

Senior Resident Magistrate of Manchester Oswald Burchenson urged the group, headed by Custos Rotulorum of Manchester Sally Porteous, to be a "guiding light" as they continue their duties from the new, scenic location.

He disclosed that based on an original requirement from the Ministry of Justice, the new space should also provide offices for the Manchester branches of the Victim Support Unit and the Probation Office.