More courtrooms needed to handle increased cases — Chief Justice
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Chief Justice of Jamaica Justice Zaila McCalla says there is now a need for more courtrooms as she took note of the increase number of criminal cases committed to the circuit courts for the Hilary Term, as a direct result of the Committal Proceedings Act coming into operation.
In a news release today, McCalla said the Act was implemented to fast-track the pace at which criminal cases move from the parish courts to the circuit courts, and to ensure that cases are dealt with in a more timely manner.
However, she said the increase in criminal activities in Jamaica, has resulted in a larger number of cases coming into the court system, at a faster pace, than the current resources can support.
“The need is now urgent for more courtrooms as well as other infrastructural and human resources to address these challenges,” McCalla said.
In the meantime, the chief justice, with the concurrence of the Director of Public Prosecutions has issued a Practice Direction to all parish courts regarding the procedure for the management of cases to be sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the circuit courts.
“These measures are geared towards streamlining the process and ensuring that there is a timely dispatch of documents from the parish courts to the ODPP and the circuit courts.
Chief Justice McCalla also reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to working assiduously to ensure a fair justice system for all Jamaicans.