News
TCI had 119 Pieces of Legislation completed in 2023 says Attorney General
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, January 19, 2024 – While the bulk of legislation in The Attorney General’s Chambers in the Turks and Caicos was focused on finance in 2023, Immigration and National Security are expected to be the main focus in 2024.
“In the year ahead, work will continue on wide-ranging proposals to improve the legislative framework around Immigration and Border security given the existential threats arising from irregular migration and to strengthen law enforcement through multi-agency initiatives to combat the impacts of transnational and firearms crimes and a new Jury Ordinance,” said Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles, Attorney General of the Turks and Caicos, during the Legal Year Opening ceremony on January 4.
The 2023 year saw 119 pieces of legislation completed comprising both ordinances and subsidiary legislation. The
Digitalization of the Turks and Caicos government continues, with several digitization tenders either having passed or reached the contract stage.
The creation of Electronic Procurement, which is a digital process for submission and review of business cases, is under contract. The Land Registry and E-Gates system are also progressing.
The Land Registry Digitization contract will create a digital repository to host all land registry instruments, records, and other documents that the AG says will shorten the time for retrieval and increase record security and integrity. The E Gates system for border entry will see the use of biometric data for entry into the country.
In the face of these advancements, Braithwaite-Knowles, KC had a request.
“It would be great if E-Justice could receive Government support in the upcoming budget cycle to complement the E-Judiciary project already implemented.”
As for constitutional amendments, a highly anticipated legal issue in the TCI, the AG said, “I have led the nearly concluded negotiations with the UK Government- As part of those reforms it is expected that Constitutional recognition of the role of the Chief Justice and advancements in the framework around the judicial administration as well as the police administration will be agreed.
In addition to these advancements, the Turks and Caicos is now listed as compliant, or largely compliant by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force, (CATF) thanks to the work of the judiciary.