A small step for justice

We note, with approval, this week's first sitting of the Court of Appeal outside of the Jamaican capital in the half-century since its establishment.

Already the Supreme Court operates a number of circuits, outside Kingston, bringing, as it were, justice closer to the people. An itinerant appeal advances that process.

But as the justices who sat in Lucea, Hanover, western Jamaica, would be aware, there is much to be done to repair Jamaica's creaking justice system, with its backlog of nearly half a million cases, if it is to regain public trust.

A significant part of the problem rests on an inadequacy of resources caused by Jamaica's economic crisis. But even with that, the system can be much improved if those in the system get a handle on the issues over which they have control.

Judges themselves can hardly claim to operate efficient operations, or insist on it from lawyers who appear in their courts.

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