CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) – Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony has criticised the operations of the magistracy saying what is taking place there is a disservice to the population

 “Do they work eight hours a day? How many cases have they heard? How many cases have they disposed of? What is the situation with the performance of these functions?” Anthony asked as he wrapped up debate on the report of the Constitutional Commission Tuesday.

According to the prime minister, people judge “our” legal system on what is taking place in the Magistracy and as a result, he wants the magistrates to be made more accountable..

Anthony, while acknowledging that there were problems with infrastructure in the court system, said that in the case of the magistracy, the problem can be resolved because the solution lies in the power of the appointing agency which is the regional Judicial and Legal Services commission.

He felt that the Commissioners, who framed the report of the Constitutional Review Commission, should have examined the issue of strengthening the accountability requirements of “these officers”, without interfering with their independent judicial powers.