Gov’t to Expand Jurisdiction of the Court of Petty Sessions

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says the Government intends to expand the jurisdiction of the Court of Petty Sessions as part of the backlog reduction strategy.

Additionally, Mr. Chuck said efforts will be made by the Ministry to encourage the use of alternative methods to solve disputes.

“We are strengthening the mechanisms to resolve conflicts at the community level. There is need to reduce the reprisal culture which enjoys the support of too many persons in our society. We are working to foster greater participation in the restorative justice processes by communities and victims,” Mr. Chuck said.

He was addressing a Community Sensitization Session at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James on September 8.

Some of the alternative methods being suggested by the Ministry include, Restorative Justice, mediation, and arbitration.

“We intend to move aggressively to use other options to settle minor matters that would otherwise end up in the courts,” Mr. Chuck said.

He pointed out that the use of alternative methods “will effectively and reactively deal with the backlog cases which, have been tied up in the courts for more than two years, while proactively reducing the number of matters that come before the courts.”

“For this to be successful, we need an army of good and decent law abiding citizens at the level of the community who are able to use their knowledge of the local environment…to intervene in and settle disputes before they escalate. We will be providing the necessary tools in order to make this a reality,” the Minister noted.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chuck informed that there is improved access to the services provided by the Supreme Court, with an office located in Montego Bay.

“The Supreme Court Registry is also well staffed. In addition, we are also in the process of acquiring lands in Montego Bay to build a Western Judicial Complex,” he said.