Understanding the Law

Understanding the Law
Congrats to our children who passed the CPEA
webmaster 
June 15, 2018
Congratulations to all the children of our nation who succeeded in passing the CPEA. This is your moment after all the hard work and sleepless nights....
Understanding the Law
Bullying
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June 8, 2018
Bullying is a practice that is affecting modern day societies in some negative ways. It may result in matters that may or may not reach the court. In ...
Understanding the Law
Assessment of damages – Pt 2
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June 1, 2018
Special Damages continued. One principle that is important to parties in Assessment of damages, and in particular special damages, is that a defendant...
Understanding the Law
Assessment of damages
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May 25, 2018
When a judge makes a decision in an accident case the injured party would be awarded damages. After the judge makes a decision on the substance of the...
Understanding the Law
Running down actions
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May 18, 2018
Running down actions occupy a considerable amount of the court’s time. These are actions by persons who have suffered injuries, or property loss, due ...
Understanding the Law
Words to expand your knowledge
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May 10, 2018
Caveat:This is a word that is used ordinarily, and in the law to warn someone against an act. It suggests the need to be careful. It also means to bew...
Foreseeability
Understanding the Law
Foreseeability
Searchlight 
April 27, 2018
Understanding Foreseeability FORESEEABILITY is an everyday word, but it plays an important role in the area of law, as it helps to explain liability f...
Serving as a juror
Searchlight, Understanding the Law
Serving as a juror
Searchlight 
April 20, 2018
Understanding The Law Serving as a juror YOU HAVE MET the requirements to be a juror, as you are 18 years and over, but less than 60 years old. Your n...
Understanding the Law
The new law year 2014/15
searchlight 
September 26, 2014
On Wednesday, September 17, the lawyers in SVG and eight other Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) member states marked the beginning of the new la...
Understanding the Law
The chikungunya disease – Part 2
searchlight 
September 19, 2014
I am not given to rumours, but the latest one that is circulating is that everyone would eventually get the chikungunya disease. This is a defeatist r...
Understanding the Law
The chikungunya disease
searchlight 
September 12, 2014
Last week we looked at two pieces of legislation and today we will give a more detailed look at the prevention and destruction of the mosquitoes in th...
Understanding the Law
The mosquito scourge
searchlight 
September 5, 2014
Far too many persons are succumbing to the chikungunya disease that causes fever and severe joint pain. The disease was reported by the World Health O...
Understanding the Law
Advanced technology in the Court
searchlight 
August 29, 2014
Slowly and surely the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court is moving on the road to advanced technology. For an institution steep in tradition, the Chief J...
Understanding the Law
The prosecution rests its case
searchlight 
August 22, 2014
The above statement is a powerful statement with significant consequences. It comes from the prosecutor in criminal cases and it could lead to the end...
Understanding the Law
In contempt of court
searchlight 
August 15, 2014
The court is an important institution which deals with matters which have grave consequences. In most cases, one party will win and the other will los...
Understanding the Law
Ten years old this week
searchlight 
August 8, 2014
This column celebrated its 10th anniversary on August 6, 2014 and I want to thank each and every one who has supported me during this period of time. ...
Understanding the Law
Big League?
searchlight 
July 25, 2014
The biggest shock for me was the incident related on the back page of the “Searchlight newspaper” last week Friday, July 18, 2014. After all the r...
Understanding the Law
Bold crimes
searchlight 
July 18, 2014
We will never get accustomed to these bold and vicious crimes that are hitting our beloved country. Twenty-five years ago we did not know much about v...
Understanding the Law
An unnecessary conflict at the Registry
searchlight 
July 11, 2014
I do not know the details about the recent controversy at the Registry, but I must admit that I am saddened by the shocking headlines in the newspaper...
Understanding the Law
Giving evidence in court
searchlight 
July 4, 2014
Evidence is an important element of a court trial or hearing. It is the way by which information is put before the court to prove a matter before the ...
Understanding the Law
Decisions on settlement in divorce cases
searchlight 
June 20, 2014
The seven factors that our court takes into account in actions for financial relief and property adjustments in a divorce come from the 1973 Act of En...
Understanding the Law
An unusual case
searchlight 
June 6, 2014
I would like to share with you an unusual case in Jamaica (Numbers 96, 102, and 108 of 2003, consolidated) that was brought against the Attorney Gener...
Understanding the Law
Foreign words in our laws
searchlight 
May 23, 2014
Many words used in our laws have their foundation in other foreign languages, particularly Latin and French. Many of these words have retained their e...
Understanding the Law
A default judgment
searchlight 
May 16, 2014
The law makes provisions to set aside or vary default judgment; but what is a default judgment? Default judgment A default judgment is a judgment that...
Understanding the Law
Prevention is better than cure
searchlight 
May 9, 2014
It is the wish and hope of every society for crimes to be eradicated. Burglary and robbery have become a way of life for some persons. Since many of t...
Understanding the Law
Firearms and Ammunition – Part 2
searchlight 
May 2, 2014
Last week we looked at the types of licences and permits under the 1995 Firearms Act. This week we will look at other information that will be useful ...
Understanding the Law
Firearm and Ammunition Laws
searchlight 
April 25, 2014
Possession of illegal firearms has become more prevalent in our communities. You only need to visit the Serious Offences Court or open the weekend new...
Understanding the Law
In contempt of court
searchlight 
April 11, 2014
The court is an important institution which deals with matters of grave consequences. In most cases one party will win and the other will lose. It is ...
Understanding the Law
Purpose of sentencing
searchlight 
April 4, 2014
Sentencing comes after a person has been found guilty of a crime. There are some classical principles associated with sentencing, namely: retribution,...
Understanding the Law
Recent practice directions
searchlight 
March 28, 2014
I know you are always curious about what is going on in the Court and I am sure that you would be particularly interested in recent developments in th...
Understanding the Law
Court etiquette
searchlight 
March 21, 2014
In a courtroom a certain standard of conduct is required so that justice is administered in an atmosphere that is open and fair.You would notice that ...
Understanding the Law
Significance of the word ‘reasonable’
searchlight 
March 13, 2014
The word "Reasonable" is seemingly ordinary, but it is fundamental in law. The online dictionary describes it as showing reason or sound judgment, bei...
Understanding the Law
The agony of rumours
searchlight 
March 7, 2014
AI am again appealing to persons to have some concern for their fellowmen/women. Another person, this time a woman, has taken to printed media to tell...
Understanding the Law
A crime free society – is this possible?
searchlight 
February 28, 2014
Heinous (wicked) crimes always cause public outcry. We speculate as to the causes at the time of the occurrences. Perhaps we need some in-depth psycho...
Understanding the Law
A crime free society – Is this possible?
searchlight 
February 14, 2014
Heinous (wicked) crimes always cause public outcry. We speculate as to the causes at the time of the occurrences. Perhaps we need some in depth psycho...
Understanding the Law
Your role in a civil court trial
searchlight 
February 7, 2014
You have brought a claim against another party in court. Since you are the claimant you have a duty to be present every day of the trial because you n...
Understanding the Law
Against domestic violence
searchlight 
January 31, 2014
The Family Court has the responsibility of dealing with matters which touch and concern members of the family whether it is in a common law or matrimo...
Understanding the Law
Extolling the beauty of the Internet but…
searchlight 
January 24, 2014
The Internet, the World Wide Web (www) is a modern phenomenon that has fascinated and is revolutionizing the world. It has been made available to the ...
Understanding the Law
Next friend
searchlight 
January 17, 2014
When bringing an action in civil court there are two classes of persons who need a "next friend”. These are a minor and a patient. Who is a minor? C...
Understanding the Law
Penalty for delay
searchlight 
January 10, 2014
A cause of action exists for injury to person, property and reputation, among others. You must have a cause of action in order to start legal proceedi...
Understanding the Law
Two significant occurrences in 2013
searchlight 
January 3, 2014
The Christmas tragedy of 2013 must have been the most talked about occurrence for the year and will be the subject of conversation for many years to c...