President Ali says modern laws key to justice, investor confidence
– Revised Laws of Guyana, Law Reports launched
Guyana’s rapid economic transformation is placing new demands on its legal system, with President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali warning that access to justice and investor confidence depend on laws that are modern, clear and easily accessible.
Speaking at the launch of the Revised Laws of Guyana 2022 and the Guyana Law Reports (2008–2021) at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) in Liliendaal on Monday, President Ali said a strong legal framework is essential to maintaining order and supporting national development.
Speaking about the launch’s importance, President Ali stated that when laws are disorganised, old, or hard to find, it puts a strain on the legal system. Lawyers experience uncertainty, judges struggle to make decisions, and citizens are confused about their rights and responsibilities.
“When laws are consolidated, confusion is reduced. When confusion is reduced, disputes are minimised. When disputes are minimised, justice is strengthened,” the president underscored.
In addition to statutory reform, President Ali highlighted that the publication of law reports is critical to ensuring consistency in judicial decisions. These reports preserve legal reasoning and guide future cases, reinforcing the doctrine of precedent.
“A judgment unrecorded is a lesson lost…and when precedent is uncertain, justice becomes unpredictable,” the president said.
Looking ahead, President Ali signalled a shift toward greater digitisation of legal resources, including more interactive and technology-driven platforms to improve public access to laws.
He also emphasised the need for continuous updating of legislation, warning that delays in reflecting legal changes can create uncertainty and undermine effectiveness amid Guyana’s evolving economic landscape.
“Investors do not invest in uncertainty; they invest in clarity; they invest in predictability; they invest in the law. Confidence in the economy begins with confidence in the law,” the president stated.
The revision of the laws and reports was executed through a collaborative effort between the Law Revision Commission, a unit within the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs, and the Improved Access to Justice in the Caribbean (IMPACT Justice) Project, financed by the Government of Canada.
It brings together two key components of the legal system, including updated and consolidated statute laws, and a comprehensive set of law reports capturing judicial decisions over more than a decade.
Attorney General Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, noted that the rule of law underpins economic progress, democratic governance and social stability, particularly at a time when Guyana is experiencing rapid growth.
AG Nandlall underscored the importance of accessible legal information, noting that access to updated laws is fundamental to access to justice, allowing citizens to understand and exercise their rights.
“Law revision and consolidation and law reporting will remain a priority of our government,” he said, noting that several legal practitioners have already received training from the Regional Law Revision Centre in Anguilla.
“The goal is for the Attorney General Chambers to be fully equipped with the legal and technical capacity so that continuous law revision and law reporting can be realised,” he affirmed.
The legal affairs minister said that more than 300 pieces of subsidiary legislation were updated, and the printing of the revised volumes alone cost the government over $178 million.
Meanwhile, the law reports were funded by the Guyana Government at a cost of more than of $92 million, including printing of 750 sets of the 14 volumes of the Law Reports.
Also attending the significant event were Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Roxanne George-Wiltshire, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, government ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the legal fraternity and heads of the joint services, among other dignitaries.