35 new lay magistrates pumped into justice system
The justice system has been strengthened with the addition of 35 new lay magistrates who graduated from a 30-hour training course last Wednesday.
The new magistrates are Justices of the Peace who were chosen by their respective parish custodes for the course run by the Justice Training Institute.
They now have the authority to adjudicate over matters in the Petty Sessions Court.
Chief Justice Zaila McCalla told the group that the position of lay magistrate is one of “great honour” and commended them, saying that their “voluntary service is of great importance to the justice system”.
She used her address to highlight several issues affecting the judicial system and made mention of reforms that are currently being formulated, as well as current initiatives that have reaped rewards. One such initiative was the Justice Undertakings for Social Transformation Programme, which is designed to make the justice system more available, accessible, accountable, flexible, fair and affordable in a timely, courteous, respectful and competent manner for all citizens.
McCalla reminded the graduates and their guests that they should all be “stakeholders in building a better justice system and a better Jamaica”.
The ceremony, held at Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston, was also addressed by Karen Campbell-Bascoe, director of the Justice Training Institute, who lauded the graduates for completing the course.
She encouraged them to “aim to attain a decorum of the highest standard”, before reminding them that they should refrain from publicly criticising their colleagues.
Carol Palmer, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice, encouraged the graduates to continue the advancement of what she described as “one of the last bastions of voluntary service one can offer to their fellowmen and country”.
She reminded them to give “sound and astute judgement” on the matters brought before them and reiterated that the position of Justice of the Peace is one of “great honour which should not be abused, but rather used as a springboard of service to the country”.
Errol Miller, a graduate and salutatorian of the programme, elicited laughter when he said that he did not know the meaning of the word “salutatorian”, therefore, “like every brilliant modern-day student would do, I Googled it”.
He was also full of praise for the other members of the graduating class, and said that after interacting with them over several sessions, they “can easily have good careers in law”.
— Marc Risden
