Dec 14 - First Law Commission Meeting Analyses Parole Licences And Sentencing Guidelines In Gibraltar

The Minister with responsibility for Justice, Neil F. Costa, chaired the first meeting of the recently created Law Commission for the reform of the law and connected purposes.

The Law Commission is a statutory body created by HM Government of Gibraltar to receive and consider proposals for the reform of the law, undertake the examination of particular branches of the law, formulate proposals for reform and generally provide information and advice to HM Government of Gibraltar on the reform or amendment of the law.

The Law Commission is comprised of the Minister with responsibility for justice, and HM Attorney General as ex officio members, together with a panel of experts in different fields such as education, the environment, financial services and the law. These experts are Supreme Court Judge, Mrs. Justice Karen Ramagge Prescott, the Stipendiary Magistrate Charles Pitto, John Restano QC, Mark Isola QC, Dr Joey Britto, Dr Liesel Torres and Mr Lawrence Podesta.

Further to previous statements made by Minister Costa, and other members of HM Government of Gibraltar, and in particular in response to public concern surrounding recent criminal cases, the Minister opened the first meeting of the Commission by noting that their first project will be a review of local criminal sentencing laws.

In particular the Commission was tasked with examining-

(a) eligibility for parole licences, which in Gibraltar, is usually possible after one third of a custodial sentence has been served, and

(b) whether the maximum sentence available in respect of certain offences in Gibraltar should be amended, or local guidelines issued in their respect, so as to take account of differences between the UK and Gibraltar.

Mr Costa said: “I am delighted that the Law Commission met for the first time. I have been very keen to get the work of the Commission started, especially, as the areas that the Commission is tasked to look into are matters in which I have a particular interest and which I know the public in Gibraltar are also keen should be properly and fully considered.

"I am especially pleased at the high calibre of the persons who have agreed to join the Attorney General and myself as members. I am certain that the Commission experts will provide sound advice to HM Government of Gibraltar so that future policy and legislation in relevant areas may be formulated in the national interest.”

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