Court of Appeal Records Positive Case Out-Turns for 2023

The Court of Appeal recorded positive out-turns in its clearance, delivery and date certainty rates in 2023.

President, Justice Patrick Brooks, provided an update during Wednesday’s (April 3) swearing-in ceremony at King’s House for eight members of the judiciary who will act in higher offices for the Circuit Court’s Easter Term.

“We have recently received the statistics of the Court’s performance in 2023. The statistics show that we have maintained our upward trajectory in our performance. In 2022, we had a clearance rate of 111.69 per cent, up from 71.72 per cent in 2021. Last year, that is 2023, the team again increased the clearance rate, moving it from 111.69 per cent to 117.94 per cent. This means, that for every 10 newly filed cases, we dispose of just under 18, thereby further reducing the Court’s backlog of cases,” he said.

Mr. Brooks further noted that the Court’s overall delivery rate remains above the international standard.

“Last year, we had an overall delivery rate of 382.35 per cent, which was down from the high of 2022 which was 449.05 per cent, but still well above the international standard of 100 per cent. That means that for every 10 newly reserved judgements last year, we delivered 38 judgements,” he disclosed.

Additionally, Mr. Brooks said there was a steady rise in the date certainty rate during 2023.

“We started from a low of 83.33 per cent in our Hillary term, that is January to Easter, and ended with a high of 91.42 per cent in the Michaelmas term, which is September to Christmas.

“Date certainty means that when we close the year, 91 per cent of our cases proceeded to hearing without any adjournment. We are heading in the right direction… the international standard is 95 per cent,” he said.

The Court of Appeal, which is Jamaica’s highest court, has 13 judges, including the President, and a staff complement comprising 50 persons, inclusive of a Registrar and a Deputy Registrar.

Mr. Brooks commended the team for its hard work and dedication, and welcomed the addition of Justices Kissock Laing and Georgiana Fraser, who were appointed to act as Judges of the Court of Appeal from April 8 to July 31.

He noted that both have been integral to realising the Appellate Court’s achievements, adding that “we are proud of them, and we are happy to have them back among us at the Court of Appeal”.

Mr. Brooks congratulated all of the Judges and Masters in Chambers who were sworn in to act in higher office.

“It has been a pleasure to witness the professional advancement of Attorneys-at-Law, some of whom I saw in the early stages of their careers. Their ability was evident at that time, and to see them hone their skills and enhance those abilities over the years has been most gratifying. They are well deserving of their present appointments, albeit in acting positions.

“We know that in the future, their present endeavours will hold them in good stead. All of them have acted in these positions before and so they will have no anxieties going forward,” he said.

The judges, who will serve in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, took the Oath of Allegiance and the Judicial Oath during the ceremony at King’s House.

They are Justices Kissock Laing and Georgiana Fraser, who will act as Judges of the Court of Appeal from April 8 to July 31; Master Pamela Mason and Her Honour Opal Smith, who have been appointed to act as Puisne Judges from April 8 to July 31; Her Honour Tracey Ann Johnson has been appointed to act as a Puisne Judge from April 3 to July 31; and Master Stephany Orr has been appointed Acting Puisne Judge from April 16 until further orders.

Her Honour Christine McNeil has been appointed to act as Master-in-Chambers from April 16 to July 31, while Her Honour Luciana Jackson has been appointed Acting Master-in-Chambers from April 3 until further orders.