Justice minister calls for timely delivery of judgements

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck is calling for judges to deliver judgments within six months to reduce the backlog of  cases in the court system.  

Speaking at last night's Jamaican Bar Association annual conference in Montego Bay, St James, Mr Chuck said at the end of  2015, there were 311 Supreme Court matters with outstanding judgments.

He argued that the delays have several implications.

The Justice Minister added that some litigants waited for years for trials, and it is frustrating for them to wait months and years to have judgments delivered.

“Litigants and attorneys are very frustrated and upset and it is just inexplicable as to why most off these judgments should take so long. I understand that in complex cases, it could take longer. We have judges who have retired and still have judgments to deliver.”

He added that judges should demand that trial attorneys provide better particulars and written submissions which would make the delivery of judgments easier.    

He has asked the Bar Association to provide a list of  judgements outstanding for more than six months, so the Chief  Justice and others can be reminded of  the prolonged delays.

Timely disposal of criminal cases                                                   

The justice Minister has also urged prosecutors to lead the process for the timely disposal of  criminal cases.

He said when persons are charged, the matter should be listed for trial within six months.

Chuck said prosecutors need to demand that investigations and files are completed within three months after persons are charged.

He said, when this is not done, the matter should be referred to the Police High Command.  

The Justice Minister  added that he was not seeking to influence the judiciary in carrying out its duties.

“Judiciary independence doesn’t mean lack of accountability. I must mean that no one  - and certainly this minister - has never interfered with a judge's independence. That is a matter that is solely in the discretion of the judge as to how he conducts his case. When we ask that judgement should be delivered in a timely manner we are asking that the judge comes to a decision in a reasonable time.”