Dominica’s general laws under review

Harris said the review covers 26 years

Legal consultant, Ray Harris has announced that the Attorney General Chambers is working on a general law revision for Dominica.

The revision covers 26 years, he said recently.

“As you may be aware we are presently working on a general law revision for the Commonwealth of Dominica which covers a period of 26 years, the last law revision was done in 1990, ” he said. “The preparation of this general revision like most general law revisions, have been beset by a few difficulties, one of which is recruiting suitable, qualified personnel.”

According to Harris, this revision was commenced by Justice Angela Zorro, a Law Revision Consultant assigned to CARICOM.

“This was interrupted from the outset, Justice Zorro attempted to recommence in May 2015 with assistance from me and a clerical officer,” he stated. “At that juncture, the understanding was that Justice Zorro was supposed to do the law revision with advice and assistance from me. However, this did not materialize and Justice Zorro’s contract with CFTC came to an end, so the government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, by cabinet decision, established a Law Commission Office which is now responsible for the general revision.”

Meantime, Harris explained that because of the volume of work the general law revision will not be completed this year, however, will continue well into 2018.

“Considering the volume of work, computing, readings, corrections to name a few,” Harris said, “This project will certainly continue throughout 2017 and well into 2018 before we can have a revised edition that can be published so that we can have a new set of laws in Dominica.”

He continued, “When that is realized, we not only going to have loose lift binders as we have now in an adapted format, which will be compatible with your Tablets, your notepads, with you Ipads, your…so very likely we will either have it on jump drives or flash drives as you call it, but these will have to be encrypted.”

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9 Comments

  1. The Truth Be Told (Original)
    January 26, 2017

    From time to time all countries revise their Laws according to certain occurrences. We are residing in an era that Laws must be revised to be compatible with the present time.
    This is the type of world we reside in. Some Laws must be revised and should be rigid to suit this present-day era.

  2. Over it
    January 26, 2017

    Man we don’t need to hear you until the Legal Professions Act, the Medical Professions Act, the Child Sexual Offences Act reach on the books…too much blajaying now eh, time to produce results!

  3. Kincaid Mawish, JD
    January 26, 2017

    Funny how Dominica’s law revision becomes a priority when the current regime is probably the most unpopular of any of Dominica’ s in its entire history.

    Here is what I expect the ‘revisions’ to bring out:-

    1) ‘Gender’ equality law – for the covert accommodation of LGBT personnel into Dominica’s mainstream and primary education process and the abolition of buggery as a crime;

    2) Economic terrorism law – to provide for strong measures to combat any public criticism of the current regime;

    3) National security law – to provide for the creation and staffing of the Dominica Central Intelligence Agency with special powers concerning ‘public order’ and the protection of national secrets (eg., the CBI program) for the ‘good of Dominica’.

    Exciting times ahead!

  4. The Truth Be Told (Original)
    January 25, 2017

    Take your time. These legal matters take a long time. They must be accurately revised without leaving one stone unturned so as also not to deny nationals their rights, where applicable.
    The thought crossed my mind. Why not revise one type of Law at a time; a few in one year? Would this not help you and create less stress to hurry its completion? Then you could compile the entire new Laws and make them public.
    It will be interesting to see their final result. I bet all of us near and far can’t wait to hear/ read the final result.
    For some of the Laws, I hope you gave some consideration to the concerns and complaints of especially Dominican residents, the law-abiding ones who, themselves are affected in some manner.
    Good luck to you as you complete them. This is a huge undertaking and a lot of work, enough to rattle the nerves and make them work overtime. :)
    God be with you to enable you to work in peace and tranquility as you complete them and compile them!

  5. truth , shall set you free
    January 25, 2017

    Tricks, Doall you can but ,NOTHING can escape skeritt and his ministers,because ,they will be judjed by these present laws,and persecuted

    • The Truth Be Told (Original)
      January 26, 2017

      You have forgotten that you too will be judged. No one escapes judgment. Those who judge others will be judged two-fold.
      Refer to The New Testament, the Words and Teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This truth shall set you free.

  6. nut smat boyz
    January 25, 2017

    Whiles you are at it, Put castration law on de priority list. Oh oh; Did we have a castration law, nuh? Anyway, think about it.

  7. EnfantDiable
    January 25, 2017

    Do not disappoint.!Keep the deadline! !we are watching !!!

  8. The Darkness
    January 25, 2017

    wait a sec…Justice what now?

    If I should see a “Z” somewhere in town… :twisted:

    That aside, i think you are doing a wonderful job!

    Alot of laws need revision… MOST of them do infact.

    Do not disappoint us… we are watching

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