By the Caribbean Journal staff

Barbados is launching a new project aimed at digitizing the country’s legislation.

The Legislative Information Management Systems project, which is being launched by the Attorney General’s office Thursday, looks to help the government draft legislation more efficiently and make the laws available over the internet.

“While this is a time consuming task, it is well worth it to ensure the integrity of what is placed on the website,” said Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Shirley Bell. “The aim is to update the website frequently, at least quarterly in the initial stages, which would make it the most up-to-date site in the region.”

On average, she said, most Caribbean countries update their laws on a two-year cycle.

The LIMS project “will fully computerize the office and, in so doing, modernize and bring a higher level of efficiency and productivity to all aspects of the preparation and production of legislation,” she said.

That could also provide a boon to investors and businessmen, who could have access to the laws that govern their affairs, Bell said.

“The availability of laws will improve the administration of justice, as citizens will be in a position to know their rights and obligations under the law,” she said. “This will also empower them to be able to enforce and insist on their rights and, by so doing, provide greater protection of the law, as well as enable persons to plan their affairs in accordance with the law.”

Montreal-based IROSOFT, in collaboration with Montreal’s ESI Technologies, has signed an agreement for the implementation of its LIMS suite.

LIMS is currently being used by the departments of justice in Bermuda, Quebec and New Brunswick, as well as Quebec City.

Part of the suite is also being used by the Bahamian government.