ATTORNEY GENERAL and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall SC, on Thursday, underscored the government’s commitment to modernising Guyana’s criminal justice system, announcing sweeping legislative reforms, including plans to regulate juries and replace outdated evidence laws.
Nandlall delivered feature remarks at a simple handing-over ceremony under the United Nations Development Programme-funded Partnership of the Caribbean and the European Union on Justice (PACE Justice) Programme, held at UN House on Duke Street, Kingston, Georgetown.
Addressing an audience that included Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire SC, representatives of the European Union, senior justice sector officials and members of the media, the Attorney General described the initiative as timely, noting that criminal justice systems across the Caribbean are undergoing deep scrutiny and reform.
“The Administration of Criminal Justice in the Caribbean is undergoing tremendous scrutiny, examination, introspection and a revamp,” Nandlall said, explaining that regional heads of government have identified criminal justice reform as essential to social advancement and economic prosperity.
He cautioned that crime has become a major regional concern, noting that it is now regarded as “a public health hazard” across the Caribbean and referenced developments in Guyana’s western neighbour, Venezuela, to illustrate the destabilising effects of organised crime.
Nandlall stressed that while Guyana is experiencing significant economic and infrastructural growth, justice sector reform must remain a priority.
“The Administration of Justice is the foundation upon which all of that takes place,” he said, adding that the government remains committed to ensuring that “the rule of law is adhered to and ensures that crime doesn’t overwhelm us.”
The Attorney General announced that a series of major legislative interventions are planned for the year, including the repeal of Guyana’s colonial-era evidence law.
“Our evidence law is an 1893 legislation from the United Kingdom… clearly out of sync with modern realities,” he said. “We are going to repeal that and bring in a completely new evidence bill.”
He also revealed that discussions are ongoing with the Chancellor regarding reforms to jury trials. “The Chancellor and I are discussing some type of statutory framework to regulate juries and the way juries function,” Nandlall disclosed, alongside proposed legislation on judge-alone trials and alternative sentencing.
Further reforms include a completed review of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, aimed at repealing outdated offences without waiting for judicial intervention. “We can aggressively and proactively do that,” he said.
Nandlall praised the judiciary for its leadership and acknowledged the executive’s role in supporting reform efforts, noting that the government “stands ready and able to support every single initiative that will ensure access to justice.”
He also highlighted investments in infrastructure and technology, including the donation of computer and printer systems to the Guyana Police Force, as part of a push to eliminate handwritten records and move towards a paperless justice system.
Jury trials in Guyana have their roots in English common law and were inherited during the colonial period. They are primarily governed by the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act, Chapter 10:01, which outlines how jurors are summoned, empanelled and how verdicts are delivered in indictable criminal matters before the High Court.
While jury trials have long been viewed as a cornerstone of criminal justice, concerns over delays, jury management and efficiency have fuelled ongoing discussions on reform, including the possible expansion of judge-alone trials.
Since taking office in 2020, the government has invested heavily in the justice system, including building new courts, renovating existing facilities, hiring additional judges, magistrates, and support staff, and introducing modern technology to streamline processes and improve efficiency.