During such stewardship, he removed the stigma of dormancy for the Association by adopting an aggressive means of communication to the general membership, completed timely amendments to the Association’s constitution, covering monthly statutory meetings at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, interfacing with political operatives, helping JPs to enhance their competence with sensitisation inputs at statutory meetings from resource personnel such as heads of institutions, Ministers of the Government and officers from the legal fraternity, seeking ways to collaborate with agencies and ministries so as to broader the scope and functions of JPs and COAs in keeping with the times. By enhancing the professionalism of JPs and COAs, a better quality of service is expected at the grassroot level.

His vision for 2009 to 2010, apart from expansion of membership and participation of JPs and the forging of alliance, both internal and external, hinges on effort to sustain the Association and to agitate for the necessary legislation based on reforms to the existing statutes concerning the seemingly restrictive ministerial and judicial powers of JPs and COAs and therefore the urgent need for empowerment enlargement.

There is need for a good working relationship with the Police in order to facilitate the community-based mediation initiative adumbrated by the JP Association. In addition to this, the Association has to pursue effort towards the Passage of the Lay Magistrates’ Bill that had been placed in Parliament since 1999, awaiting the findings of a Special Select Committee. Unfortunately, based on reliable sources, the life of the Bill has expired and so it will have to be re-introduced in Parliament.

With greater need for better public relations involving Police work, new legislation to curb an unprecedented wave of crime, violence and abuse particularly against the female gender in the country, corruption in many places and moral degradation, more noticeable in the younger generation, there should be a redefinition of the role and functions of the JP, traditionally bound to a desk to witness and authenticate signatures of persons on documents.

In many countries, the functions of a JP are court-connected in such matters as fixing bails for offenders of certain offences, witnessing voluntary statements given by offenders at Police Stations, making peace and out-of-court settlements in petty matters. Rightly enough, while several judicial and social reforms are currently ongoing so as to facilitate easier access to justice, the status of JPs/COAs for all practical purposes seems not to be given due recognition and attention by the authorities concerned. For example, the holding of periodic refresher courses/training seminars for JPs/COAs who are appointed by the State seems not to be the responsibility of the State and furthermore, even governmental subventions for the association had never been considered and is not accessible to this day. Indeed, with the need for greater accountability today by JPs/COAs, it is opportune for them to register immediately with the Association that is committed to improve the public image of JPs/COAs by performance that is truly professional and widely accepted.
HERMON BHOLAISINGH