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THE complement of 12 High Court judges, which has been in place for the last three decades, will now be increased to 20, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon informed Wednesday . Speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing, in Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown, he said President Donald Ramotar, recently, signaled his intention to statutorily increase the number of judges, which can contribute to the handling of the accumulated backlog of cases in the Judiciary.
According to a recent Government Information Agency (GINA) report, government has made continuous strides, over the years, to ensure Guyanese have fair and ready access to justice.
Hence, the Administration spent more than $1.7 billion in 2011 for the continued development of the sector and, for 2012, the sum of approximately $2.1 billion was allocated, GINA reported.
“The current administration has long realised that the modernisation of its laws and an effectively functioning justice system bear a causal relationship to economic development and, ultimately, the advancement of its people,” GINA said.
The issue of the backlog of cases in the judicial system still remains perhaps the greatest challenge being faced and various means and mechanisms are being explored as work continues in an endeavour to address this very fundamental problem.
Specialised courts
More judges and magistrates have been appointed and there are moves to appoint and establish more specialised courts.
According to GINA, these include a Commercial Court, a Constitutional Administrative Law Court and the Family Court.
Under the Justice Mordernisation Programme, GINA said Government continued to refurbish and rebuild courts around the country. For example, in excess of $300M were spent to construct, rehabilitate and maintain court facilities countrywide for last year.
Works began on the renovation of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and the New Amsterdam, Black Bush Polder/Mibicuri and Reliance; Canje Magistrates’ Courts have all been completed.
At Whim, Skeldon and Sisters Village, in Berbice, too, the Magistrates’ Courts have been rehabilitated. The Lethem Magistrate’s Court, in Rupununi, is, currently, being built while, at Leonora Court, West Coast Demerara, final touches are being applied.
The physical structure of the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), in Georgetown, has seen the building being expanded and renovated with final works, currently, being finished.
According to a recent Government Information Agency (GINA) report, government has made continuous strides, over the years, to ensure Guyanese have fair and ready access to justice.
Hence, the Administration spent more than $1.7 billion in 2011 for the continued development of the sector and, for 2012, the sum of approximately $2.1 billion was allocated, GINA reported.
“The current administration has long realised that the modernisation of its laws and an effectively functioning justice system bear a causal relationship to economic development and, ultimately, the advancement of its people,” GINA said.
The issue of the backlog of cases in the judicial system still remains perhaps the greatest challenge being faced and various means and mechanisms are being explored as work continues in an endeavour to address this very fundamental problem.
Specialised courts
More judges and magistrates have been appointed and there are moves to appoint and establish more specialised courts.
According to GINA, these include a Commercial Court, a Constitutional Administrative Law Court and the Family Court.
Under the Justice Mordernisation Programme, GINA said Government continued to refurbish and rebuild courts around the country. For example, in excess of $300M were spent to construct, rehabilitate and maintain court facilities countrywide for last year.
Works began on the renovation of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and the New Amsterdam, Black Bush Polder/Mibicuri and Reliance; Canje Magistrates’ Courts have all been completed.
At Whim, Skeldon and Sisters Village, in Berbice, too, the Magistrates’ Courts have been rehabilitated. The Lethem Magistrate’s Court, in Rupununi, is, currently, being built while, at Leonora Court, West Coast Demerara, final touches are being applied.
The physical structure of the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), in Georgetown, has seen the building being expanded and renovated with final works, currently, being finished.
