Justice Minister Says Good Customer Service Must Be Top Priority

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says good customer service has to be a top priority, for the justice system to operate at the highest level of efficiency.

Speaking at the recent launch of the Case Information Statistical System (CISS) for the Rural Circuit and Coroner’s Courts at the Jewel Dunn’s River Resort in St. Ann, Mr. Chuck said the Ministry has been investing a lot of resources into improving its customer service delivery, as “this is the most important part of the justice sector.”

“When our citizens come to the courts to access justice…to get information…this is where customer service is very important,” the Minister emphasised.

“Many of them are coming for the first time and it is important that our court staff treat them as if they are helping a pupil. We have to remember that many of them are ignorant of court processes, so we have to make it welcoming…we have to make it a pleasant experience,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chuck implored court workers to ensure that all files are documented so as to make for a speedier trial process.

“This way we will know for sure as to how many files are there and which require immediate attention or closure. Not only will every case now has a number, but we will see how that case is progressing through the system,” he said.

“I am looking forward to the day…maybe in a matter of months…certainly no more than two to three years…when our citizens go to court to access justice, and within a certain timeframe they can get a result…the file can be closed,” the Minister said.

Mr. Chuck said that while judges and court workers sometimes get a bad rap and are unfairly accused of tardiness, “the truth of the matter is that when you see the statistics, the judges and the courts are overburdened with work.”

“The statistics will be able to demonstrate that more personnel, more equipment, more technology and more resources must be allocated to the justice sector,” he pointed out.

Mr. Chuck said it is important that the resources that are going into making the justice system better be used wisely and “where we can see that it is money well spent.”