Help make the Courts function as they should
“JUDGES and magistrates are not lords and ladies of the Courts. We are in service to the people and, therefore, when you notice that the Courts are not functioning the way they should – running on half day schedules and magistrates disappearing – then, I say to you, feel free to contact us.” That was the advice given to the public by Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh, when he spoke at the opening of the new Magistrate’s Court at Charity, Essequibo Coast on Monday, in the presence of President Bharrat Jagdeo and other top government functionaries.
He said: “As judicial administrators, we are concerned that the output of the Courts should reflect the investments that we have made providing a wholesome and salubrious environment in which magistrates can work without having to be bothered about furniture, stationery supplies and things of that sort.
“Many of you, who are from this area or further afield, know what the quality of accommodation was not so long ago and, perhaps, we ought to offer some commendation to the Government for recognising that this Court, here at Charity, was really needed,” Justice Singh said.
According to him, the need for the Court was graphically demonstrated with a certain magistrate outrightly refusing to work at the Court until it was fixed.
“Now that we have there improved circumstances, we expect that the situation will change. We are already beginning to see the signs here in Essequibo and in other magisterial districts around the country,” he said.
Alluding to reports that people, sometimes, eat and use cellular phones in court, and persons including lawyers, show scant regard for the Bench, Justice Singh said those who have business in the Courts must understand that the Courts represent law and order in our country.

Command respect
“It is expected of you that when you go to court that you would conduct yourself in a way that shows that you respect the authority of the Court. But moreso, it is for the magistrate to command that respect. The magistrate is the symbol of authority of the Court and if the magistrate cannot control the Court, then the position of that magistrate needs to be revisited,” the Chancellor remarked.
Continuing his speech, he said:“We ask you to ensure that this building is preserved, respected and taken care of. We will do our part and you must do your part.”
Justice Singh said that work is ongoing in other areas as part of the Administration’s efforts to improve the Judiciary.
“Several courts are being rehabilitated in Berbice. The High Court in Georgetown is undergoing much needed extensive repairs. The main Magistrates’ Court in Georgetown is also undergoing extensive expansion and rehabilitation,” he said.
The Acting Chancellor said there is an expectation that the magistrates in these refurbished buildings will give of their best. “It is extremely difficult to manage and supervise the Registry and these are not the colonial days when the Courts were focused on a miniscule number of cases. The number of cases facing magistrates is voluminous and that is a fact that we accept.”    
Justice Singh said that magistrates are expected to put in longer hours of work. He said a mechanism has been devised for evaluation and assessment of the work of magistrates.
Noting that the recent addition of Magistrate Leron Daly to the Magistracy in Essequibo was commendable, he said:” The returns that we have seen shows that Magistrate Daly is making a commendable effort in reducing the number of cases facing the courts on the Essequibo Coast.”