Gov’t Improving Court Infrastructure

Renovations were carried out on several courthouses over the past year as Government continues to invest in improving the country’s court infrastructure.

Making his contribution to the 2022/2023 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (May 4), Justice Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, informed that refurbishing, roof repair and remedial works were undertaken at 12 courthouses islandwide.

He said that air-conditioning units were also installed and repaired at seven parish courts to include Portland, St. Thomas, St. James, and Kingston and St Andrew, and plumbing repairs were done at the Court of Appeal, and the Criminal Division of the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

Meanwhile, major renovation and retrofitting works commence at the Clarendon Parish Court in December 2021.

The investment, which is valued at approximately $120 million, includes the construction of additional public bathrooms; retiling of the walkways and corridors; and installation of additional water-storage capacity, air-conditioning units, and an elevator to support improved access by physically challenged persons, among other things.

Minister Chuck also reported that the Ministry is undertaking renovations at the Addison Park sports complex to relocate the St. Ann Parish Court in Brown’s Town, which was gutted by fire earlier this year.

“The temporary court facility is to be completed within this quarter in an effort to provide an interim court space from which the Brown’s Town Court can fully operate,” he told the House.

Mr. Chuck said that the Ministry also advanced capital projects related to the construction of three fit-for-purpose buildings to house justice centres in May Pen, Clarendon; Sandy Bay, Hanover; and in Spanish Town, St Catherine.

“The Ministry now has the required architectural designs and bill of quantities to advance the procurement of these works, the concepts for which are being reviewed for adoption in the Public Sector Investment Programme,” he said.

Also, during the year, two Restorative Justice Centres were established in Greenwich Town and Pembroke Hall, St. Andrew, and repairs were carried out at several justice service facilities islandwide to expand the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

Giving an update on the work of the Legal Aid Council, the Minister told the House that over the past year, the Council facilitated a total of 4,753 legal-aid assignments.

Of that number, 2,282 were duty counsel assignments and 2,471 matters were disposed.

Minister Chuck said that the Council continues to serve the most vulnerable, noting that 33 persons deemed mentally challenged, were assigned attorneys.