THE Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Rules, approved in the National Assembly last Thursday, will cause judicial officers to see significant changes, according to Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Charles Ramson.
He said the raft of regulations will guide the approaches of the Judicial Service, dictate how benefits are conferred and, more importantly, the kind of conduct required of serving officers.
“The highest level of professional conduct must be observed,” Ramson said of the first such rules that expand the powers of the Judiciary.
He said the stipulations address issues of conflict of interest, the fair exercise of official functions, discipline of officers and upholding the integrity of their office, which includes not conducting private business on Government property.
Ramson said no preferential treatment of members of the public is allowed and matters before the Judiciary must be completed in a timely and effective manner.
One stipulation is that judicial officers are not allowed to run for municipal or national elections and Ramson is included.
Another area addressed is the advancement of judicial officers without the requisite qualification and he said the new regimen provides for the exigencies normally encountered when people are catapulted into higher positions than for which they are trained.
Ramson said provision is made for judicial officers to be sent for training but, if they opt out before the course ends, they will have to repay for the benefits, so far, obtained.
He said, were a judicial officer to be displeased with action taken by those in authority in the Judiciary, the individual has the option of making this known through the Appeal Court.
However, Ramson pointed out that the Judiciary has the right to terminate employment of the officer until a ruling is handed down by the Appellate Court, if the appellant is involved in criminal activity.
People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament, Mr. Anil Nandlall, who contributed to the debate in the House, said approval of the rules ensures that the Judiciary remains fair and impartial, all in a continuing effort to maintain superior quality justice for the people of Guyana.