Dear Editor,

The five of us qualified, experienced senior citizens told you why first things must be first, and we listed solutions for chronic crime, 50-year old water shortage, and the rust-filled health system. Now we deal with second things that fall in the emergency slot.

The island’s justice system reeks of decay and creaks under an ancient custom that reminds us of feudal times when the learned set, bedecked in dark suits with dangling ribbon collars and stiff superfluity, bowed and scraped before pompous judges and enjoyed delays with many “M’Lords”.

We are hurt to hear on the radio recently that foreign critics have branded our legal system “backward and inefficient”. Since it appears that members of the Bar are not familiar with words like stat, statim and expedite, they boast after each election of the thousands of untried, unsolved cases locked in dust-brown files shielded by cobweb.

Since there are dozens of unassigned young lawyers; some chasing ambulances, some knocking on doors asking, “Any case in here?”, we suggest they be given protective gear — shower caps; eyes, nose and mouth masks; and overalls — and risk pay to complete 100 files in 30 days. Many of the clients, witnesses, police attendants, legal aids, et cetera, are long dead or have departed these shores.

In order to pay these young lawyers, we ask that all ambassadors and consultants be recalled and curtailed immediately; that all officials, consultants, politicians, and others who hurriedly signed contracts after the election announcements should have their names published in the newspapers and the large amount of money secured from this group used to pay the young lawyers, clean the courts and their surroundings, pay justices of the peace $5000 a day to sit, and pay to hold a referendum to bring back hanging and flogging, as some citizens are demanding.

People feel that with the very sick, backward and inefficient legal system crime remains unchecked. For the criminals know there is no ‘punishment’ and there is limited justice for the victims.

Lawyers and police who don’t turn up for even the first hearing should be heavily fined through their associations. I know a poor woman, herself a victim, who attended court 17 times for her case to be heard. The police and the lawyers took turns to be absent. This must stop. Then there is the hushed-up corruption with money passed under the table, and nobody dares to talk about it. Several years ago we did British History in sixth form and this little verse led to many heated discussions: “The law locks up the man or woman who steals the goose from off the common; but lets the bigger villain loose, who steals the common from the goose.”

The crime buck stops with the legal system. Notice how crime of all descriptions affect every aspect of our lives, especially in the running of health facilities.