ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams SC has announced that the commissioners for the long-awaited Law Reform Commission have all been identified and are now waiting to be sworn in by President David Granger.

This will take place when President Granger, who is away on treatment, is able to conduct the procedure. Minister Williams announced the same on Monday during the consideration of Budget Estimates 2019 in the Committee of Supply in the National Assembly.
The permanent Law Reform Commission seeks to reform and modernise Guyana’s laws—the majority of which were inherited from its colonial masters and are long overdue for review. “The commissioners have been identified. They have to be sworn in by His Excellency and you know the reason why they have not been sworn in as yet,” Minister Williams said.

He was, at the time, responding to questions from Opposition Member of Parliament and former Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall who noted that the commission was appointed some two years ago.

Although the commissioners are yet to be appointed, Williams had stated that a legal officer, two legal clerks, three typists, an office assistant, cleaner and driver have been hired. He confirmed the same on Monday, stating: “Mr. Chairman, we’ve already acquired a building for them; we already have staff in there for them and as soon as they’re sworn in it’s going to be up and running.”

Meanwhile, the commission will comprise of no less than three and no more than seven commissioners with a chairman to be elected by and from the members of the commission. On Monday, Williams announced that $20.4M will be going towards support of the Law Reform Commission in 2019 which will facilitate training; addressing marijuana as a public policy issue and the need for legislation reform.

The funding for such comes from a $195M Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)-funded project and will also address other pieces of legislation such as the Mental Health Act; Substance Abuse and Psychotropic Substances Act and the need for the Bail Act.

The minister said: “These acts relate to mental health persons coming through the penal system. There was no real distinction made in relation to such persons and they would have to be diverted from the conventional prison system and be especially treated. [Meanwhile] the question of a Bail Act is important to give guidance to the magistracy regarding sentencing.”

Explaining the importance of the commission, Minister Williams had said in the past that the body will work continuously to ensure that Guyana’s laws are fair, relevant and effective in serving and protecting the interests of the people.