THE Family Court is expected to start functioning before year-end. This is according to Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall. In a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, Nandlall stated that the court is still being equipped with its respective furniture and other furnishings.
He acknowledged that the process has taken quite some time but it had been riddled with problems that existed before he took office. The Attorney General pointed out though that they have overcome some of those problems and are still working on the other matters that need to be fixed.
The Legal Affairs Minister said further that a room has to be built which will house children when they come to the court concerning legal matters. This room must be very child-friendly, filled with toys and other fun stuff that will definitely make children feel at home and not scared when they arrive at the court, the minister noted.
He explained during the interview that the furnishing and the court at present is the responsibility of the Executive and when the furnishing is completed the court will be handed over to the judiciary for the body to commence operations.
In early 2009, Cabinet granted a two-fold approval to establish the court and erect a structure in which the entity would be housed.
The new facility will handle issues such as divorce, division of property, domestic matters, adoption, guardianship and custody.