KINGSTON, Jamaica — A criminal case management (CCM) rules workshop saw various stakeholders converge on the Courtleigh Hotel in Kingston recently.

A release from the Court Management Services said the workshop, which was organised and funded by the Justice Undertakings for Social Transformation (JUST) programme, was aimed at increasing efficiency in the justice system. 

Criminal case management is a broad term for the process during which pre-trial issues are dealt with by judges. The event sought to strengthen and revamp the existing rules for case management in Jamaica.

Speaking at the event, Chief Justice Zaila McCalla lauded the initiative and highlighted its importance to the administration of justice. 

“I cannot over emphasise that criminal case management requires the commitment and resolve of all stakeholders to deal effectively with the vast number of criminal cases in the system.  Greater efficiency in the trial of criminal cases will shorten trials, conserve time and expenses and will ultimately increase confidence in our Justice system,” she said.

McCalla took note that there has been an increase in persons pleading guilty to offences and some attorneys were embracing practices such as agreeing to facts and evidence, which were not in dispute, so as to shorten trials.