Persons in Hurricane-Affected Parishes Will Continue to Access Speedy Justice – Minister

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says that contingency plans will have to be made to ensure that persons in parishes badly affected by Hurricane Melissa will continue to have access to justice without delay.

Minister Chuck made the comments following a tour of Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth on November 21, where he witnessed first-hand, the damage done to several courthouses and their inability to carry out court functions and proceedings.

He singled out the Black River courthouse, St. Elizabeth as one that was so severely damaged by Hurricane Melissa that rebuilding or renovating might no longer be an option.

“We want to make it clear that the Government will not leave communities without essential legal services,” Mr. Chuck emphasised.

“There may be no saving the Black River courthouse. Unfortunately, it was significantly damaged. The likelihood is that it will not be rehabilitated,” he said.

Despite this, the Minister affirmed that alternative arrangements are being actively put in place, noting that “other halls of justice” within the parish, including Balaclava and Santa Cruz, will be utilised as alternatives to ensure continued access to court services.

In addition to Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth, Hurricane Melissa’s effects were felt in three other parishes: Trelawny, St. James and Hanover.

Westmoreland’s parish and family courts suffered roof damage, while neighbouring Withorn escaped mostly intact.

This, the Minister said, will mean that matters could now move from the main parish courthouse to Whithorn for them to be dealt with expeditiously.

He also pointed out that to maintain continuous access to justice, circuit courts are being conducted in the Lucea courthouse in Hanover, and parish court matters are being held approximately three days per week in Withorn, which is roughly 20 minutes away from Savanna-la-Mar.

The Minister emphasised that the Government remains committed to keeping the wheels of justice turning.

“We are not going to abandon people who rely on our justice system. The resources are available, and the key objective is to secure a contractor, ideally under emergency procurement, to restore Westmoreland’s courthouse in the shortest possible time,” he said.

He projected that with the right speed and process, rehabilitation could occur within the first half of next year, subject to a successful bidding and works plan.