The entirely revised Laws of The Gambia are to be published soon and will, for the first time ever, be available in both hard and soft copies, and be accessible through the Internet.
The Laws were last revised in 1990, and the revision cost the Gambia government more than US$1 million, Abdou Kolley the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, announced in his 2010 Budget Speech.
"The law library has also been refurbished and stocked with new legal reference material to facilitate the functioning of the justice system."
"Government also provided significant resources for training of staff of Attorney General's Chambers to reinforce the much need capacity."
"An Alternative Dispute Resolution Secretariat (ADRS) has been established to help resolve disputes between and among people and institutions, thereby reducing the need for going through the courts."
There are plans to decentralize the ADRS activities and set up branches in all administrative regions of the country, Kolley added.
"Also, the legal frameworks for establishing a National Agency for Legal Aid and National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons are already in place and government has provided funds for implementation in 2010," he further announced.
The Finance made these remarks when he commented on the justice system and Judiciary in the country.
"An effective, efficient and impartial justice system is critical to economic growth and development, as well as poverty reduction."
"People and other economic actors should ordinarily have confidence in the ability of the justice system to enhance legal protection and redress whenever needed", he declared.
