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The proposed changes which are likely to become enacted in the months ahead will come at a cost to government. A new building will be needed to house the various offices, as well as salaries for the additional employees that will be hired to the judiciary. According to Attorney General Magali Marin-Young, monies for these […]
Written on May 6, 2022 | Posted in
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The judiciary will be expanding the bench with a new judge taking an oath of office on May ninth. Along with a new justice will be a master, an officer of the court who will assist the judges of the High Court with preliminary assignments, including case management. This is in an effort to alleviate […]
Written on May 6, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Judiciary Will Expand the Bench; a New Judge to be Sworn In
Acknowledging that there have been serious concerns with backlogs in the upper courts, the duality of the Chief Justice will allow for the presiding judge to sit on matters in both jurisdictions, the Supreme Court, as well as the Court of Appeal. Magali Marin-Young, Attorney General “We have had problems with the timely delivery […]
Written on May 6, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on New Chief Justice will Sit in Both Courts
On Tuesday, Orange Walk Central caretaker Denny Grijalva, himself a religious leader, presented a little over six thousand signatures on behalf of the United Democratic Party. It was part of a concerted effort undertaken by the churches to trigger a referendum on cannabis legalization. Grijalva joined the Belize Council of Churches, as well as the […]
Written on May 4, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Shyne Discusses UDP Position on Cannabis Referendum
This afternoon, inside the courtroom of Justice Lisa Shoman, attorneys for Stake Bank Enterprise Ltd. sought leave to appeal a decision that was handed down by the Supreme Court on March third. An application for judicial review that sought to scrutinize government legislation in respect of an Environmental Compliance Plan had been struck out based […]
Written on April 26, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Stake Bank Seeks to Appeal Dismissal of Judicial Review
The churches have been actively petitioning signatures needed to trigger a referendum which, by law, requires ten percent of the voting population. These signatures would subsequently be turned over to the Governor General for her vetting. But is this process all for naught if the timeframe during which the petition was to be made should […]
Written on April 26, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Churches Can Challenge Decision on Marijuana Law
One industry that is expected to be impacted by the legalization of marijuana is tourism. Hundreds of thousands of tourist visit the country annually and are exposed to the drug. Local businesses in major tourist destinations are concerned about the impact. So what is the Belize Tourism Board’s view on the impact that the legislation […]
Written on April 26, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on B.T.B. Reviewing Implication of Marijuana Legislation on Tourism Industry
The case of the Cuban immigrants who are on remand awaiting a court proceeding has been adjourned. Today, the proceedings took place virtually but in closed session among the parties and Justice Lisa Shoman. Last Friday, Justice Shoman had given the human rights attorneys who are representing the Cubans up to Monday to properly file […]
Written on April 26, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Case of Cuban Immigrants Adjourned
The churches seem to have gained momentum in their bid to push for a referendum on the topic of legalizing marijuana. It is a controversial issue that has garnered strong support for and against, but with the churches reaching the threshold to trigger a referendum, Prime Minister John Briceño says they respect the churches’ view. […]
Written on April 25, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on PM Says the Churches Had Ample Time to Indicate They Wanted a Referendum
Today, the National Evangelical Association of Belize proudly announced a milestone, despite not fully realizing the number of signatures needed to trigger a referendum on the cannabis legislation. The churches are at the helm of a countrywide effort to garner as many as nineteen thousand signatures, is still five thousand shy of reaching that target. […]
Written on April 12, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on 5,000 Signatures Remaining; Is Cannabis Referendum Still Possible?
While there seems to be some discrepancy about the timeline given for additional changes, the Minister of New Growth Industries reiterated that the extension granted by the senate is not for the gathering of signatures to trigger a cannabis referendum. Kareem Musa, Minister of New Growth Industries “What I heard in the Senate was […]
Written on April 12, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Musa Sets the Record Straight for Cannabis Legislation Timeline
The Government of Belize and the U.S. Embassy are joining forces to try and assist with reducing the back log of legal cases. This week was the first session to examine the issue. Senior officials from the Belize judiciary and legal community examined the framework and standards of criminal case management processes as well as […]
Written on April 8, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Efforts Underway to Help Clear Legal Backlog
I.L.O. Caribbean Director Zulu honed in on the need for revised labour laws in Belize to meet with the demands of the time. He spoke on areas in which Belize’s labour laws fail to address COVID realities, as well as occupational safety concerns. This is one of the areas the I.L.O. has committed to offer […]
Written on April 7, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Remote Worker Safety among Issues Needed in Labor Law Update
The calls for a referendum on the legalization of marijuana are increasing. The evangelical churches and the council of churches have taken an official position in support of a referendum. The United Democratic Party has since taken an official stance in support of the churches’ call for a referendum, but for different reasons. All this […]
Written on April 5, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Calls Increase for National Referendum on Cannabis Bill; Debate Began Last Year
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman of the United Democratic Party, says while the party supports the call for a referendum, their reasons does not entirely align with those of the churches. Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, United Democratic Party “We are agreeing with the churches in terms of one narrow issue. We agree with the church that you […]
Written on April 5, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on U.D.P. Supports Call for Referendum, But Differs From Church Stance
Early indications are that while the U.D.P. supports the call for a referendum, they are divided on the legalization of marijuana for recreational use. Leader of the Opposition, Shyne Barrow, in a release earlier today says he will “Vote YES to Marijuana legalization in a referendum.” Barrow supported the bill back in July of 2021 […]
Written on April 5, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Peyrefitte: U.D.P. Will Have to Develop United Position If Referendum is Called
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize has also weighed in on the call for a referendum on the Cannabis Bill. A strongly worded release from the N.T.U.C.B. this afternoon is calling on the government to immediately halt the proposed legislation. The umbrella organization for trade-union unions is also demanding G.O.B. hold countrywide consultations to […]
Written on April 5, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on N.T.U.B.C. Calls for Cannabis Legislation to Be Put on Hold, Consultations Held
A coalition of groups who oppose the legalization of marijuana for recreational use have reportedly written to the Prime Minister with their intent to trigger a people’s referendum. According to the Referendum Act, chapter ten of the Laws of Belize, a referendum may be triggered when a petition receives the signatures of ten percent of […]
Written on April 4, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on NEAB and Other Groups to Push for Referendum against Legalizing Marijuana
Former Deputy Prime Minister Hugo Patt featured prominently in a commission of inquiry that was held last year into alleged abuses and wastage under the Barrow administration. The Corozal North Area Representative was questioned extensively by the three-member panel about the questionable sale of a late model Toyota Tacoma that was assigned to him as […]
Written on April 1, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Hugo Patt to Receive Damages in Commission of Inquiry Suit
So, how much damage is Patt entitled to now that it has been agreed that compensation is necessary? That will be determined by the court which will also award costs. According to Barrow, while both parties have met an agreement, the presiding judge is yet to give her approval before it becomes an order of […]
Written on April 1, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on How Much Will Hugo Patt be Compensated for Injuries?
Former Prime Minister Dean Barrow is also suing the government on a similar basis. He too was called before the commission and his name was also published in its report. In this case, however, an agreement could not be met between the attorneys representing both parties. As a result, the case will be heard in […]
Written on April 1, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Dean Barrow’s Name to be Removed from Commission of Inquiry’s Report
Does the lawsuit being brought by the former Minister of Finance, Dean Barrow, mean the fate of the Commission of Inquiry’s report hangs in the balance? Part of the suit being brought against the government will seek to prove that there was an apparent bias in the appointment of Senior Counsel Andrew Marshalleck when he […]
Written on April 1, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Commission’s Report under Threat of Invalidation
The law firm of Coye Courtenay L.L.P. has sent a letter to the Leader of the Opposition demanding he retract and apologize for defamatory comments made about Prime Minister John Briceño on a Tropical Vision talk show. The letter provides a transcript of the exchange between Moses “Shyne” Barrow and the host of Uncut. The […]
Written on April 1, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Lawyers Send Letter to Leader of the Opposition Regarding Comments Made About Prime Minister
The National Evangelical Association of Belize, NEAB, staged a brief protest this afternoon outside of the National Assembly. The organization has been staunch in its opposition to the legalization of cannabis. While it lacked the strength in numbers that would otherwise give its protest teeth, NEAB is fully supporting the position recently taken by the […]
Written on March 25, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on NEAB Endorses Catholic Church’s Position on Marijuana Legalization
The Bar Association of Belize has held its Annual General Meeting and elected a new executive body. They are Andrew Marshalleck S.C. as President and Hector Guerra as the Vice President. While, Aaron Tillett is the Treasurer and Jose Alpuche is the Secretary. Committee members are Payal Ghanwani, Iliana Swift and Stevanni Duncan Ferrera. A […]
Written on March 25, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on New Executive for the Bar Association of Belize
