The Plea Negotiations and Agreements Bill, 2024 was successfully passed in the National Assembly, aiming to enhancing efficiency within the criminal justice system. The Bill was presented in the National Assembly by Mover and Attorney General, Garth Wilkin, on Jan. 30^th.

It introduces a structured legal framework for plea negotiations and agreements. Attorney General Wilkin emphasized the significance of the Bill, noting that it aligns with international best practices and regional commitments to criminal justice reform.

He highlighted the Needham’s Point Declaration on Criminal Justice Reform, which underscores the necessity of plea bargaining as a tool to expedite case resolution and ensure fairness in judicial processes.

The Plea Negotiations and Agreements Bill, 2024, provides clear guidelines on how plea discussions should be conducted, including provisions that safeguard defendants’ rights, involve victims in the sentencing process, and ensure judicial oversight in approving agreements. Under the new law, only indictable offences qualify for plea negotiations, and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has sole discretion to engage in such discussions.