AS part of its work programme, the JP Association convened a special meeting at the Anna Regina Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, May 30, 2009 with a representative number of JPs from the Essequibo Coast.

The General Secretary of the JP Association, Derek Gulcharran, delivered the feature address to the participants. He gave an overview of what had been done since the mantle of leadership for the association was taken over by Hermon Bholsisingh in May 2008. Some initiatives include the timely amendments to the association’s constitution, ongoing membership expansion, delegation of authority and accessibility to meetings in the creation of Chapters in Berbice and Essequibo, institutionalising formal training/refresher programme for JPs/COAs, convening monthly statutory meetings at the Georgetown Magistrate Court, enhancing professionalism among JPs/COAs, the establishment of a Professional Conduct Committee within its membership to monitor performance and level of professionalism of JPs/COAs, rendering collaborative support to public agencies and entities in enhancement activities aimed for the public good and harmonious living, agitating for the community-based mediation initiative by JPs at the local level with a view to settle some disputes amicably before they end up in the Courts, the Lay Magistrates’ Bill that was tabled in Parliament since 1999 to be further pursued, accountability to the competent authority of the State (The Attorney General, Ministry of Legal Affairs, The Office of the President or an individual).

Discussions followed mainly to clarify some of the points raised. The election of office bearers to serve for one year was free and transparent. The newly-elected executive promised to present an action plan for approval by the executive body in Georgetown.
HERMON BHOLAISINGH