Electronic court filing/management system seen as key development
-as law year opens
The year 2024 will be an impactful year for the administration of justice in Guyana, with legislative interventions expected to take place during the year.
These remarks formed part of the address by the Attorney General (AG), and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, at the opening of the Law Year 2024, held at the Supreme Court of Judicature in Georgetown on Tuesday,
Speaking on the Law Revision exercise intended to update the laws of Guyana from 2012 to December 31st 2022, Nandlall said, “Because of the volume of work, the contractor has asked for an extension and that extension has been granted and hopefully long before the conclusion of the first quarter of 2024 we will be launching both soft copies and hard copies of the Laws of Guyana.”
The AG recalled the “tongue lashing” he received for the nonappointment of the Judicial Service Commission. He noted that the commission, which was finally appointed last year, now has the important task of filling the vacancies for magistrates and judicial officers. He reminded those in attendance that applications are open for suitably qualified persons to apply, however no advertisements for the Court of Appeal vacancies have been sent out, but he hopes however that will be done soon.
Nandlall noted that Berbice has been without a Land Court judge for eight years and hopes that supplying a sufficient number would take care of the burden accrued over the years.
He also asked the judiciary to consider the appointment of a
sufficient number of Court of Appeal judges that will allow for simultaneous sittings of the court and constituting more forums and for the sitting of the Court of Appeal judges in both Berbice
and Essequibo, Nandlall emphasised that it can be done once sufficient numbers of judges are appointed which can be done at periodic intervals.
Digitization of the courts
Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane George, who also spoke at yesterday’s ceremony, said that the