WITHIN recent times, sections of the print media have quite correctly pointed to a shortage of Magistrates in certain magisterial districts and the resulting inconvenience caused to lawyers and litigants alike, together with a concomitant increase in the number of unheard cases in these courts.

This shortage of magisterial manpower is just but one of the many adverse consequences being experienced by the justice system because there does not at present exists a fully constituted Judicial Service Commission.

In addition to the shortage of Magistrates, since November, 2013 the Land Court in Georgetown has been without a Commissioner of Title, the last Commissioner having reached the age of retirement, demitted office. The number of applications intended for hearing before the Commissioner of Title is growing significantly and while there are pending applications for appointment to this office, those applications cannot be processed because of the vacancies which exist in the membership of the Judicial Service Commission. Additionally, disciplinary matters involving persons who come under the supervisory jurisdiction of the Judicial Service Commission are held in abeyance until such time as the Commission is fully constituted.

An appeal is therefore made, for those constitutionally tasked with the responsibility of recommending or making appointments to the Judicial Service Commission to meaningfully engage with a view to filling the vacancies which exist in the membership of that Commission. Further delay in constituting the Judicial Service Commission will compound the difficulties already faced by an overburdened judicial system.

OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN
Judicial Service Commission