Ministry to review Justice system

Justice Minister Dorothy Lighbourne said the ministry is now reviewing several proposals in a bid to improve the Justice System.



Senator Lightbourne said of main concern is the clearing up of the huge backlog of civil and criminal cases and extra judicial police killings.



She said the number of judges in the Supreme, Appeal and Resident Magistrates courts will also be increased, as well as the number of legal draftsmen.



The Justice Minister said the number of prosecutors at the DPP’s office would also be increased by seven with three additional paralegals.



She said she has instructed the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Paula Llwellyn to review cases that have been before the courts for years and are not likely to be completed.



She has ordered that those cases be thrown out if they have not been progressing.



The ministry is also considering the proposal to employ civilians to serve summonses for jury duty instead of the police.



Senator Lightbourne said measures to improve the witness protection system would also be implemented shortly.