New Customer Service Centre Opens at Corporate Area Parish Court

A new Customer Service Centre for the Corporate Area Parish Court, Civil Division, located on Sutton Street in downtown Kingston, was officially opened on Thursday (May 17).

It was opened by Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck; Chief Justice, Hon. Bryan Sykes; Senior Parish Court Judge, Her Honour Ms. Opal Smith; and the Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Her Excellency Laurie Peters.

The centre was established through a contribution from the Justice Undertakings for Social Transformation (JUST) programme, a Canadian-funded project that partnered with the Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Justice, with the goal of strengthening and reforming the justice sector.

In his address at the ceremony, Mr. Chuck said the centre represents a model for other customer service information centres that will be established in the justice system over time.

“Today’s launch is not only timely but a step in the right direction. The Government is developing a framework for institutionalising service excellence, thereby initiating the change in culture required for real and lasting improvements in the quality of service delivered in the public sector,” the Minister said.

Mr. Chuck said the hope is to see Jamaica offering first-class customer service in all courts.

“We’re going to do everything to ensure that all the centres of justice, be it the courts, the justice centres, or the Ministry, provide first-class service. The Ministry of Justice will play its part. We’re going to ensure that every infrastructure that the Ministry is responsible for is of First-World standard,” the Minister said.

For his part, Mr. Sykes thanked the Government of Canada for its contribution and reminded persons who work at the Corporate Area Parish Court of their roles and responsibilities to customers who come to them for the services offered by the justice system.

“This is really the manifestation of the cooperation between the Government of Jamaica, the Government of Canada and the Court Management Services, which is a part of the Supreme Court,” Mr. Sykes noted.

Her Excellency Laurie Peters, said her Government was pleased to make the donation through the JUST programme, which resulted in the renovation of the Customer Service Centre.

“For decades, Canada has been the primary international development partner of the Government of Jamaica in this area of justice reform,” Ms. Peters said.

“It really is heartwarming, reassuring and rewarding to know that our partnership is being put to good work. Canada remains committed to supporting Jamaica, and indeed the entire region, in its pursuit of justice reform. We look forward to a future in which Jamaican women, men and youth have increased trust and confidence in the justice system,” she added.