Chevannes Edmond Campbell, News Coordinator
Delays in the justice system as well as the inequality of the treatment meted out to the rich, the poor, the powerful and those without power, head the list of concerns expressed by Jamaicans during an eight-month-long public consultation on the reform of the justice system.
Chairman of the Jamaican Justice System Reform Task Force (JJSRTF), Professor Barry Chevannes, told journalists yesterday that during consultations across the country, many people were of the view that the justice system treated persons differently according to their status.
"There is a level of inequality in the justice system between rich and poor or between the powerful and the people without power," Professor Chevannes stated.
He was speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Justice on Oxford Road, New Kingston, to discuss the reform of the Jamaican justice system and to highlight the National Justice Summit, to be held on May 10 and 11, at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston.
Many persons who participated in the discussions, which began in September 2006, argued that there was a lack of consistency in how the courts handed down sentences and that little or no respect was accorded to individuals who come in contact with the justice system.
The consultations, along with the work of the task force, are designed to come up with recommendations to address the problems plaguing the justice system.
Too complicated
According to Professor Chevannes, a number of participants contended that the justice system was too complicated and too expensive.
Other issues highlighted by members of the public include the inaccessibility of legal information and legal assistance; justice system actors and institutions are not fully accountable, and the language of the courts is too complex and in some cases archaic.
Further, many participants are of the view that persons within the justice system do not always carry out their duties in a professional manner.
Speaking to the question of inequality of treatment of individuals by the courts, Professor Chevannes said many attributed these incidents to the fact that a certain level of freedom was given to the judiciary in terms of sentencing.
"That is something that will have to be addressed in terms of greater consultation among them (judges) and greater understanding among members of the judiciary," the JJSRTF chairman said.
He noted however, that the discretionary power of the judges could not be taken away.
"The task force is fairly satisfied that the issues that came up in the consultation were genuine issues, issues that go to the very heart of the justice system and the heart of why there is a need for reform," he concluded.
Meanwhile, the Report of the JJSRTF has pointed to a few strengths in the current system.
According to the report "the widespread confidence and belief in the integrity and commitment of the judiciary" is the greatest strength of the Jamaican justice system.
"This general perception is validated by the fact that there has only been one charge of judicial corruption in a generation and that charge led to a successful conviction," the report stated.
It also mentioned the Civil Procedure Rule, which has led to higher settlement rates and shorter trials.
A six-month contract, worth $10.7 million, was also signed yesterday between the Ministry of Justice and Technology Plus for the provision of court security systems (electronic systems).
