THE first ever Family Court in Guyana is now expected to be operational in the last quarter of this year, according to Human Services and Social Security Minister, Jennifer Webster. She told the Guyana Chronicle, that while construction of the building is complete in the High Court compound, work is currently being done to have it furnished.
Webster said her ministry, through its Probation and Social Services Department, along with the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA), will be providing support to the court.
She said the responsibilities of the ministry will also be increased since approval has been granted for it to receive additional staff, specifically to deal with Family Court issues.
Webster informed that officers of the ministry will assist with such as guardian investigation, child custody counseling and assistance to families in domestic circumstances, among other issues.
The initiative for the Family Court was prompted by the awareness that the unit is severely affected by societal demoralisation. This recognition has motivated the emphasis on providing an environment where adults and children can seek justice and family law can be dealt with in a specialised manner.
The new facility will handle matters including divorce, division of property, domestic matters, adoption, guardianship and custody.
Rules of the Court were significantly changed by an expert from Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), to whom they were submitted on the recommendation of local officials.