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by pltm
(PLTM) - The government plans to increase the cost charged for filing and service-related fees at the Magistrate's Court.
This announcement was made by Governor John Rankin during his Speech from the Throne this week.
He said, amendments to the Second Schedule of the Magistrate's Code of Procedure, Chapter 44, will be brought forward to bring filing and service-related fees more in line with the fees charged in other jurisdictions and current operational costs.
The Governor went on to state that the current Schedule of Fees is more than 36 years old and is the lowest in the region. The fees were updated in 1985. ", the current rates are not reflective of the cost of living in the Virgin Islands, nor the increased operational cost associated with a Magistracy of a higher level of functioning than yesteryears."
Also, Governor Rankin said, similar to the Civil Procedure Rules, Government will bring forward the Criminal Procedures Rules to serve a vital role in managing all criminal matters filed within the Supreme Court.
This, he said, will improve upon the Criminal Procedure Code and provide a more detailed framework for the administration of justice in this area.
"The Criminal Procedures Rules will make provisions for filing dates and deadlines for certain matters, case management procedures, disclosure, adjournments, bail, and service of documents, among other matters," the Governor stated.
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