Chuck takes aim at backlog

New Justice Minister Delroy Chuck is meeting with key stakeholders in the judicial system to hear some of the challenges facing the sector.

Chuck, who took office last Tuesday, has already met with Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn, Solicitor General Douglas Leys and head of the Independent Commission of Investigations, Terrence Williams.

A statement from the ministry said over the next three weeks, Chuck will meet with other key stakeholders such as Chief Justice Zaila McCalla and president of the Jamaican Bar Association, Ian Wilkinson.

One of the priority issues to be discussed, according to the minister, is clearing the backlog of cases in the courts.

"We need to ensure that we have more timely and speedy delivery of justice," he said.

"I plan to engage the RMs (Resident Magistrates), and the judges to see how best we can deal with this backlog. When I look at the figures, more new cases are coming to the courts than cases being disposed of on an annual basis. That is priority for me," he added.

In addition, he said other issues up for discussion include the implementation of a social component to the delivery of justice, improved access to justice through further increasing the number of judges, strengthening legal aid service delivery and establishing a sound court infrastructure.

Chuck said in many respects, he does not intend to re-invent the wheel as, to an extent, he is satisfied with some of the programmes and policies that are in place.

Llewellyn, who attended the meeting with six of her deputies, said her office was quite happy to have accepted the invitation of the minister to meet with him to discuss areas of mutual concern and to chart a way forward.

"This will enable all of us as partners in the administration of justice to make sure that we craft and implement strategies that will enhance the operational deficiencies of the administration of justice in the public interest.

"We stand ready, as we have in the past, in the present, and in the future, to continue serving the public interest and to do our professional best to deliver quality service to Jamaica," Llewellyn said.