Justice Sector Modernisation Project moving apace

A training session was held on Monday at Duke Lodge, Kingston, for representatives of justice sector institutions, on the establishment of criminal and civil justice committees. This initiative is part of the Modernisation of the Justice Administration System (MJAS) Project, which is being implemented by the government through the Legal Affairs Ministry.
The training was facilitated by consultants Dr Trevor Hamilton and Dr Winston Mc Calla from Hamilton, Brown-Hamilton and Associates, attorneys and business advisors in Jamaica. The committees, which will comprise representatives from the public and private sectors and civil society drawn from Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice, will be headed by acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh.
The training focused on the role of the committees, structures and reporting relationships; guidelines for conducting the affairs of the committees; and their performance framework.
As it stands, some of the issues affecting the criminal justice system include: the delay in the completion of cases, the number of adjournments, lengthy time for trials, overcrowding of prisons, improved computerisation of records and alternative sentencing options.
Meanwhile, delay in trials was highlighted as one of the issues affecting the civil justice system. This would necessitate the expansion of mediation and improved computerisation of records. The functions of the Criminal Justice Committees are: to advise on all programmes and  policy matters pertaining to the criminal justice area; serve as a focal point for leadership, guidance, coordination, development and implementation of reform programmes and activities in the criminal justice area;  review and make recommendations for the improvement of the criminal justice system; promote inter-governmental and inter-agency cooperation and coordination; and promote public awareness of the issues, alternatives and goals in the criminal justice area, among others.
Similarly, the roles of the Civil Justice Committees include: reviewing mechanisms for reducing court delays; encouraging mediation and to provide and disseminate information countrywide on the mediation court and its value; recommending changes in the law where considered appropriate; monitoring the implementation of proposed changes; promoting awareness of civil justice, in particular improving access to advice and early intervention in dispute resolution; and facilitating participation of court users and other stakeholders in civil justice among others.
It is expected that these committees will assist in enabling more speedy trials in courts and a more efficient court system which is accessible to the wider community, and which delivers timely and fair results. The MJAS is a programme funded by a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).  It embraces several concepts that are intended to modernise the system and make it more accountable, transparent and efficient.