Judiciary Launches 2024-2028 Strategic Business Plan

The Judiciary of Jamaica has launched its Strategic Business Plan outlining proposed policies, programmes and projects for the country’s court system for the years 2024 through to 2028.

The strategic plan, which was unveiled on Wednesday (April 10) at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St. Andrew, will be supported by revised management, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for courts, and aims to guarantee the efficient provision of court services and an environment that is appreciative of stakeholders.

It is built on four key philosophical pillars – court proceedings, processes and infrastructure, strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement.

Chief Justice, Hon. Bryan Sykes, in his address at the launch ceremony, said that the plan will be people-focused, risk aware and proactive in its execution.

“The last strategic business plan focused on immediate actions to improve the performance of the courts and attain cleared backlog status. In acknowledgement of the essential part that the judiciary plays in building the economy in Jamaica, this time around, focus was placed on strengthening our foundation to ensure the sustainability of the gains made over the last five years and solidifying our service quality,” he said.

He pointed out that the plan remains a living document that is responsive to the ever-changing local and international environments.

“As a judiciary, we operate in a complex environment fraught with legal, operational and reputational risks. Whether it’s the emergence of new legal precedents, the threat of cyberattacks or changes in regulatory landscapes, we must remain vigilant and proactive in identifying potential threats.

The approach to risk management will, therefore, be comprehensive and encompass both preventative and responsive missions,” the Chief Justice said.

For his part, former President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Sir Charles Michael Dennis Byron, in delivering the keynote address, urged Jamaicans to familiarise themselves with the strategic plan to ensure that they are receiving the quality service they deserve.

“It’s well written, it is concise and it is easily understood. It allows everybody to know the standards that the judiciary has set itself; standards that are in line with international best practices so everyone will know what standard of performance they’re entitled to receive and the criteria by which they can judge whether these standards have been met,” he said.

Sir Byron further pointed out that the plan covers standards related to the delivery of quality justice that extend well beyond the trial process and decisions made by the courts, including how easy it is to access the courts or understanding court procedures.

“This plan also addresses the level of courtesy by which court users have been treated by court staff. It addresses timeliness and fairness in judgments and the extent to which court users and the court itself can benefit from technology,” he noted.

The digital version of the Judiciary’s Strategic Business Plan will be made available on the Court Administration Division (CAD) website, www.cad.gov.jm.