ST ANN, Jamaica — The nation’s court administrators and clerks of courts are being strongly advised to take an efficient business approach in the execution of their functions so that Jamaicans can have a fair hearing within a reasonable time in keeping with the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.

Chief Parish Judge Chester Crooks made the bold recommendation at a case flow management seminar over the weekend in St Ann that was facilitated through a joint workshop between the Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Judicial Educational Institute of Jamaica funded by the International Law Enforcement section of the United States Embassy and the Justice Undertakings for Social Transformation.

While addressing the gathering, Crooks highlighted that there is an interdependence between the functions of administration, prosecution and adjudication in the Courts.  By way of examples, he pointed out that “any failure in the administrative processes, such as the issuing of witness summons or warrants or the failure to produce copies of relevant documents will also hinder the trial process”.

As a result, the chief parish judge noted that it is important that each officer carries out his or her function being mindful of the impact his or her failure to perform effectively and in a timely way, will have on the rest of the system.

 Against this background, Crooks stressed that the parish courts adopt efficient  business process techniques; and that duties must be carried out in a timely and organised  manner which will contribute to the efficiency of the Justice system as a whole.

To this end, Officers of the Parish Courts were called upon to minimise delay without sacrificing quality in their work.

With regard to legislation, Crooks pointed out that new laws and rules have been introduced to provide assistance in making the business processes in the parish courts more efficient.

These include: The Judicature (Case Management in Criminal Cases) Rules, 2011 which speak to the readiness of parties for trial; The Committal Proceedings Act, 2013 which abolished Preliminary Enquiries and makes provisions for committal proceeding to be conducted on written statements only and The Evidence (Amendment) Act 2015 which allows agreed facts and documents to be admitted into evidence in criminal trials.