Former Contractor General Dr Derrick McKoy was sworn in as Attorney General by Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen during a virtual ceremony yesterday (January 11).

McKoy, who has significant knowledge and experience in law, takes over from Marlene Malahoo Forte, who has been appointed minister of the newly created Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs.

The Governor-General congratulated McKoy on his appointment.

“I wish for you all the best as you serve as Attorney General of Jamaica. I know that much is dependent on you and your service and we pray that you will be able to execute [your duties] in accordance with the expectations of the Constitution,” he said.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, welcomed McKoy to the Administration.

“We are very happy to have you on board and we look forward to working with you and benefiting from your advice,” he said.

Holness said the Attorney-General’s role is vital to the Government, noting that almost every activity in Government, in some way, passes through the Attorney General’s Department.

“[The Department is crucial] for legal advice…[and] for review of contracts. Indeed, it’s a critical part of the development of legislation, and it is a critical part in the resolution of disputes,” he said.

The prime minister, who announced a restructuring of the Government on January 10, noted that this was done in part to ensure that the legal, constitutional and justice arm “is so structured that it can have a greater rate of efficiency and turnover in terms of the development of legislation, the passage of legislation, the review of legislation [and] the necessary reforms that have to be done”.

McKoy is also a former Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus.

He holds a doctorate in law from the University of Leicester, a doctorate in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University, an LLM in International and Comparative Law from University College London, an MBA from Barry University, and an LLB from the UWI.

In 2016, McKoy was awarded the Order of Distinction (Commander class), for Outstanding Contribution to the Legal Profession and for Public Service in Jamaica.