The recently created Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs (MLCA) in Jamaica has received approval for the implementation of its organisational structure.

The approval was given by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.

Wayne Robertson, acting permanent secretary in the Legal Affairs Ministry, in making the announcement, indicated that a start-up organisational structure was accepted for core positions. This new ministry will play the integral role of setting the framework for Jamaica’s Constitutional Reform programme and severing Jamaica’s allegiance to the British monarchy.

The creation of the ministry is the Government’s attempt to holistically revisit the legal and constitutional infrastructure of the State and accelerate the pace of reform. As part of the new structure, the permanent secretary’s office will be fully staffed with approval received for all the core technical positions.

These include the Constitutional Reform Directorate and the Legal Education Directorate, which are critical. “I singled out those two because of the body of work that would be required for the coming months and years,” Robertson explained.

Constitutional change agenda

He advised that the Constitutional Reform Directorate will focus on the constitutional change agenda. According to the permanent secretary, “we would have to educate Jamaicans about the transition from a constitutional monarchy to a republic; what that entails, the timelines and the role of the Jamaican people in the process.”

The work required to facilitate this process involves the establishment of a Constitutional Reform Committee, which will be done soon. He told JIS News that a term of reference has also been drafted for the Constitutional Reform Committee, which will guide its work.

Robertson added, “we have identified some members already and discussions are ongoing with others. At the appropriate time, we will make a formal announcement regarding the committee but the matter will have to be taken to Cabinet as well, so we are working on that.”

In addition, a policy paper is being crafted with respect to the constitutional reform work programme. The MLCA has been established to take charge of and give focused attention to the Government’s legislative agenda and its legal and constitutional reform aspirations.