KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Government’s planned legislative agenda for 2024/25 should see the enactment of a Mediation Bill, a Restorative Justice Bill, and a new Justice of the Peace Jurisdiction Act to further enhance the role of Lay Magistrates.

This was outlined by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen on Thursday as he delivered the 2024 Throne Speech.

“We will continue the improvement of access to justice, expansion of alternative justice services and enhanced legal aid services for vulnerable groups,” Sir Patrick said.

He told the Parliament that the government continues to promote healing, reconciliation, and mutual respect “in our journey towards a peaceful, productive, and prosperous Jamaica”.

“In the financial year 2023/ 2024, the Restorative Justice Programme facilitated 1,792 referrals, with 82 per cent resulting in agreements between parties,” he shared.

Also, the Child Diversion Programme transferred 764 children (ages 12 to 17) in conflict with the law, from the formal court systems, providing them with treatment plans. Nearly 100 youths deemed high-risk were assigned mentors.

In the meantime, the governor-general said significant progress has been made in the parish courts, reducing the overall net criminal backlog to less than two per cent. He said infrastructural upgrades continued and public-private partnerships for new judicial complexes are planned in selected parishes.