TT GETS NEW LAWS BOOK

Kangaloo made the announcement as she piloted a Bill to amend the Law Revision Act, which was passed in the Upper House yesterday without amendment.

She said the Law Reform Commission, whose mandate was to prepare, revise and publish written laws of TT, recently completed an exercise in which a new, revised edition of 494 laws would be made available to the public.

However, UNC Senator, Dr Tim Gopeesingh, accusing the Government of sloppiness, said lawyers and others have had a nightmare in understanding the changes in legislation since 1980, and criticised the Government for taking so long to revise and publish them.

He said in October 2000, during the UNC’s term in government, the Law Reform Commission became operational and when the party demitted office its work was going on apace.

“But we have taken five years to reach the stage where the laws are revised and published. Members of the commission indicated that the major problems were a lack of infrastructure, staff and money to carry out its functions.”

Gopeesingh also said the 2000 Law Reform Commission report stated that there were some 850 laws to be revised.

He wanted to know why only 494 were being revised and published by this administration, and which ones were left out.

Kangaloo, in reponse, said Government did not include repeal Acts in the the new list of revised laws. She also agreed with Independent Senator, Professor Ramesh Deosaran, that the language in which the laws of TT are written were quite troublesome and said this should be addressed.

Kangaloo also allayed the fears of UNC Senator, Razia Ahamad, who felt uncomfortable with the Minister of Legal Affairs taking over the responsibility to change the substance of laws from the Attorney General.

Kangaloo endorsed Independent Senator, Dana Seetahal’s explanation, which said the minister, under the authority of Cabinet would bring the Bill to be altered before Parliament.