Justice Ministry proposes new courthouses for some parishes after Melissa damage
The Ministry of Justice is proposing the construction of new courthouses in parishes where existing facilities were severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa.
Justice Minister Delroy Chuck raised the issue during a ministerial statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
“Melissa has left a trail of destruction, mainly in the western end of the island. Three parish courts in Westmoreland, St Elizabeth and Trelawny were either totally or substantially damaged,” said Chuck.
He said at this stage, the ministry’s team will need to work in close collaboration with Chief Justice Bryan Sykes and his team to identify suitable locations.
“The necessary allocation will be requested for these new constructions. I hasten to add that work is well underway for new courts in St Thomas, Manchester and St Catherine,” Chuck noted.
“The work towards a first-class justice system continues. I look forward to the support of all stakeholders as we strive to make it a reality in the very near future,” he added.
Meanwhile, the minister noted that the chief justice has again highlighted concerns regarding court infrastructure. He pointed out that there are 57 courts across Jamaica and that apart from the Supreme Court, the vast majority are more than a century old.
“But for the effects of the devastating hurricane, most of them are in the best shape they have ever been,” he said.
This, Chuck said was because of “significant sums” spent for major renovation and improvement of some of these facilities.
“In the last two financial years, we spent approximately $764 million,” he shared.
Some of the courts that have seen marked improvement over the last two years include the St Catherine Parish Court (Linstead), Manchester Parish Court (Cross Keys), Clarendon Parish Court, Portland Parish Court (Bryan’s Bay) and the St Ann Family Court.
“I would proudly practice in any of the courts across the country,” said Chuck while acknowledging that despite the “significant progress”, upgrading work is still needed in many courts across the island.
-Lynford Simpson
