Welcome to the Chambers of the Attorney General Ministry of Legal Affairs

OUR MISSION

To provide a legal mechanism that will ensure the smooth and efficient running of the Legal system in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

OUR VISION

To be focused, dynamic, efficient, and a disciplined catalyst, providing professional and high quality service for sustainable growth and development in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The legislative achievements of the Government from 2001-2011 have been examined under which include, but are not limited to, the following heading:

1.     Economics and Production

• Value Added Tax Act (2006)
• Companies (Amendment) Act
• Exchange of Information (Amendment) Act (2008)
• Banana Industry Act (2009)
• ICT Investment Incentive Act

 2.   Social Development

• The Protection of Employment Act (2003)
• The Social Investment Fund Act (2003)
• The Status of Children Act
• Further and Higher Education (Accreditation) Act (2006)
• The National Economic and Social Development Council Act

3.    Good Governance and Administrative Reform

• The Financial Intelligence Unit Act (2001)
• The Freedom of Information Act (2003)
• The Postal Corporation Act (2003)
• The Roads, Buildings and General Services Authority Act (2008)
• The Finance Administration Act (2004)

 4.   The Environment

• The Precursor Chemicals Act
• National Emergency and Disaster Management Act
• Management of Ship-Generated Solid Waste Act (2002)

 5.   Regionalism

• The Caribbean Court of Justice Act (2004)
• ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies Act (2006)
• Caribbean Community Act (2005)
• The Immigration (Caribbean Community Skilled Nationals) (Amendment) Act (1997)

GOALS/OBJECTIVES

Improve on the quality of the services offered to our internal and external clientele.

Further enhance the timely and efficient response to requests for legal advice.

To continue updating annually the Laws of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

To ensure that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is up to date in regional and international Treaty participation, by providing the relevant drafts of Accession, Instruments of Ratification and working closely with the Legal Consultant at the Ministry of Affairs, Foreign Trade and Consumer Affairs.

TARGET AUDIENCES

The Government/Cabinet

The Public Service Sector

General Public

FUNCTIONS/SERVICES

Preparation of requisite legislation for the House of Assembly

Preparation of Deeds of Conveyance, Leases, Contracts and other legal documents for Ministries, Departments and Statutory Bodies.

To liaise with relative branches relating to the administration and dispensation of Justice, namely Magistracy, Registry and High Court, Family Court and the Commerce and Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)

Provision of Legal Aid Services

1. A decision is taken by the Executive/Government that a law is needed for a specific purpose.
   
   
2. The Attorney General’s Chambers is then responsible for drafting a Bill.
   
   
3. That Bill is then taken to Parliament where it is introduced by the relevant Minister.  He proposes the Bill and it is seconded by another member of the House of Assembly.
   
   
4. Each Bill has three readings: 1st, 2nd and 3rd.  Ordinarily, these three readings occur at three different sittings of Parliament.  In exceptional circumstances, the proposer of the Bill can ask for the Bill to be taken through all three stages at a single sitting of Parliament.
   
   
5. Parliamentarians are entitled to debate the Bill after the second reading.
   
   
6. On occasion, a  Select Committee of Parliament is chosen to review a Bill and make recommendations to Parliament.  Members of the public are often invited to submit Memoranda to Select Committees.
   
   
7. After the third reading of the Bill, members of Parliament vote on the Bill.  Once it  is “passed” in the House with the majority of members supporting it, that Bill becomes on Act.
   
   
8. The Act is then sent to the Governor-General for his assent.
   
   
9. The Act enters into force as law when it is published in the Government Gazette, or on a specified date stated in a proclamation published in the Gazette.