Robin Sully, (left) representative of the Canadian Bar Association, speaks with Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe, (right) and A.J. Nicholson, (centre) Attorney-General and Minister of Justice at the end of the Jamaica Justice System Reform National Justice Summit held yesterday at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Damion Mitchell, News Coordinator - Radio

Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe has shrugged off blame for the current state of the country's justice system.

According to him, the Government should be held accountable because over the years it has failed to provide the necessary support and resources.

"When that (the resources) is forthcoming, a remarkable change will be seen in the justice system," Wolfe sought to assure. "Let those who are in charge of the resources, put their money where their mouths are."

The Chief Justice was speaking at the launch of the National Justice Summit at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston, yesterday.

He continued: "In my time as a judge I have found it extremely painful to adjourn cases." However, according to the Chief Justice, judges were often forced to postpone cases where defence lawyers ask for more time to properly brief themselves on cases or where an accused person is unable to obtain legal representation.

Chief Justice Wolfe who said he has earned the reputation of being a "judge dread" also noted that in his 11 years as chief magistrate he is yet to see an acceptable level of cooperation between the Opposition and the Government.

Serious about improvements

But Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, who was the keynote speaker at the launch of the summit was quick to point out that her government was serious about improving the justice system.

She referred to the more than $2. 5 billion allocation to the Justice Ministry and the current reform of the justice system. "For the first time in the history of the justice system you have received this kind of allocation," she said.

The reform is being undertaken by the Canadian Bar Association in collaboration with the Justice System Reform Task Force.

But the Prime Minister said some aspects of the justice system did not require money to be improved, like the level of respect in the courts. "The court is to be a place that is associated with justice and equity," she said.

A draft report from the task force raised serious concerns in this regard based on feedback from participants in a series of consultations on the justice system.