Despite calls for the controversial amendment to expand the Trial by Judge Alone law to be sent before a Joint Select Committee, government has instead decided to refer the bill to a Special Select Committee.
This committee will take a deeper examination of the bill and then report on it by June 6th.
The revelation was made last evening by Attorney General Reginald Armour.
The amendment was criticised by both the opposition and legal bodies.
It is hoped that the amendment will help reduce the backlog of cases in the criminal justice system by introducing judge-alone trials as the default position for all capital and non-capital indictable matters. An accused could still have applied to the court for trial by judge and jury.
During debate on the matter last evening, Armour said: “I’ve listened attentively to all concerns placed by all senators, in particular the Independent senators, on a number of issues, not least of the issues raised – regarding jury numbers, informative data, criteria to inform the interest of justice, the rational of introducing lay assessors and their roles.
“I believe such matters can be further explored to enable this bill to be passed into law in the shortest possible time.”
Armour then cited Standing Order 66 (1), referring the bill to a Special Select Committee. This committee has to report on the bill by June 6.
The SSC comprises Armour (chairman) plus Government senators Randall Mitchell, Allyson West and Renuka Sagramsingh-Sooklal, as well as Independent Senators Vieira (SC) and Evans Welch and UNC senator Jayanti Lutchmedial.