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New Homes for Law Commission, Land Registry, Intellectual Property Office, Legal Aid & Advice Centre and Electoral Office

Saturday, January 9, 2021

News

Justice and Legal

Office of the AG

 
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HIGHLIGHTS

Hon. Vincent Byron stated that there will be new homes for law commission in the new year during his presentation on the 2021 Budget in the National Assembly
The Attorney General made reference to the property that was previously owned by other occupants for a brief period and had since been vacant for some time.
Hon Vincent Byron further commented on the facilities housed at the new building
Minister Byron expressed his expectation for the availability of the second and upper floor in time for a hand over early in 2021, with the ground floor becoming available later in the year.
The Attorney General has continued to seek to provide relief to allocate adequate space and promote greater productivity and enhanced customer service going forward.

Four departmental units superintended by the Ministry of Justice and legal Affairs and one functionary operating under the purview of the Office of the Attorney General will find new homes in 2021. Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs Hon. Vincent Byron made the disclosure during his presentation on the 2021 Budget in the National Assembly in December 2020.

He was at the time making reference to the acquisition by the government of the building previously owned by the firm of Barker and Kelly and located at George Street in Basseterre on St. Kitts. The premises had been latterly occupied by the C&C Supermarket and other occupants but had since been vacant for some time.

According to the AG, “Mr. Speaker, ….in that building you will find that there is going to be a major renovation going on. It will house…ultimately five departments under our [ministries]. It will have the Law Commission …… on the top floor of that building in an attic….. On the second floor will be the Registry of Lands….It will also house the Intellectual Property Office…. We also have the ground floor where ….the Legal Aid & Advice Centre will move to that building as well as we expect that the Electoral Office will find its new home there at the corner of George Street and The Sands [Complex] opposite the Courthouse”

Minister Byron expressed his expectation that the required renovations to the second floor and the upper floor would be advanced in time for a hand over early in 2021, with the remaining sections on the ground floor becoming available later in the year. He opined that this building is another exciting project for the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs. He also referred to the relevant budgetary allocation of $1.4 plus Million in addition to the $2.5 Million spent on the Annex to the Judicial And Legal Services Complex at Independence Square Street.

The aforementioned departmental units and functionary have been challenged in terms of space for some time. The Attorney General has continued to seek to provide relief by way of efforts at procuring and allocating adequate space. The most recent developments will augur well for the increased comfort of staff as well as the general public who interact with them. This should also promote greater productivity and enhanced customer service going forward.

It is the principal mission of the Office of the Attorney General to provide legal advice and services to and on behalf of The Crown, and to conduct and respond to all matters of litigation for and against The Crown or any Ministry or Agency of the Government.

Importantly, its mandate includes the extensive oversight of the legislative agenda of the Government.

The Office of the Attorney General also provides administrative support for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and superintends all matters relating to the Electoral Office.

Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs

The Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs ensures that the rule of law is facilitated and supported by the various mechanisms by which citizens can have equal access to the justice system and by which they can be afforded the protection of the law. It also takes responsibility for ensuring that the statutes are updated and modernized to keep pace with an evolving society.

Quick and convenient access to important and noteworthy matters relevant to entities under the Office of the Attorney General and departments within the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs.

Hon. Garth Wilkin
Attorney General

Ms. Diana Francis
Permanent Secretary

(Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs)

The Office of the Attorney General

The Office of the Attorney General is chiefly responsible for providing legal counsel and advice to the Executive Branch of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis. The functioning of the Office is rooted in the Constitution and is further detailed by the provisions of the Attorney General’s Act Cap 3.02 of the laws of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

One of the more prolific manifestations of the advisory functions of the Office of the Attorney General is its contribution to the legislative agenda of the government. As such, the responsibility of preparation of all legislation: from conceptualization to the presentation of Bills and the crafting of Regulations falls within the purview of the office.

Get In Touch

Government Headquarters,
Church Street, Basseterre, St. Kitts

+1(869) 467-1013

attorneygeneral@gov.kn

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