Several Courthouses to be Built as Part of Justice System Reform

As part of the ongoing Jamaican Justice System Reform Programme, the Ministry of Justice has embarked on a number of major projects across the island, to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of justice. According to Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Senator A. J. Nicholson, a good working environment is essential to the efficient and effective dispensation of justice, as all persons who use the island’s courthouses should feel comfortable in their surroundings.
At the recent ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a new courthouse and police station in Cambridge, St. James, Senator Nicholson outlined that in another week a new courthouse will be officially opened in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth.
“In Balaclava, a new court is to be built, the construction has already started. If you go into Port Antonio, you will see that a wonderful complex is being constructed there, and that is a partnership between the Government of Jamaica and the National Commercial Bank,” he added.
He further explained that a new courthouse is to be built in Morant Bay, and that the land for this project has already been acquired, and the architectural work completed. The Minister further informed that a courthouse will also be built in the town of Mandeville, while a building has been acquired in Kingston for the establishment of a new Family Court.
Senator Nicholson added that new facilities will also be constructed shortly in the vicinity of the Sutton Street Court in Kingston, to accommodate the Traffic Court and the Coroners Court.
The Attorney General appealed to citizens to take care of the new facilities, as these belonged to them, emphasizing that justice is at the top of the national agenda.
He explained that the final report from the Justice Reform Task Force, which was recently delivered to him, is now being assessed. The report contains some 183 recommendations.