Gov't may have to take stringent measures against some judges - Chuck

 Sherine Williams, Gleaner Writer

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck has suggested that the government may have to take stringent measures against some judges in an effort to reduce the enormous backlog in the courts.

Chuck who was speaking at the General Legal Council Law Conference on Sunday said there are too few judges who have been making an effort to deliver judgments on time.

He pointed to some jurisdictions where judges are not paid if judgments are not delivered within a specific time period.

Chuck said his ministry will provide extra resources for judges to resolve a list of cases which have been in the courts for over six months.

He said there are over sixty cases on the list which he hopes can be resolved by September.

In March Chuck called on judges to dismiss cases that have been in the system for five years and more unless there are reasonable grounds for them continuing.

He said this would reduce the backlog in Jamaica's courts.