AG outlines proposed juDicial changes

DURING a workshop for those involved in the judicial arm of society in Barbados, the Attorney General and Minister of Home Affairs, Hon Adriel Brathwaite, gave somewhat of a timeline regarding his office’s plans for the judicial and legislative system.

Brathwaite first outlined that he is still in the process of reforming a particular process with the Royal Barbados Police Force, asserting that they cannot record interviews due to some statutory changes. Added to that, he noted that there will be the introduction of a family code very soon, indicating the need for a new building is not as crucial as the need for new training, which he hopes will be facilitated through money made available by UNIFEM.

Going further on familial matters, the Attorney General is looking at making the court a place of more peaceful separations, rather than being the war zone that is has become. Brathwaite purports that such cases should cause as little harm to the children involved, and hopes that is will be rectified within 1 year and 18 months.

Speaking of children, there is a proposed move being presented in the juvenile justice appeal by Adriel Brathwaite.  Brathwaite is proposing that juvenile offenders’ best interest be taken at heart, and is asking that prosecutors be slow in putting them through the system. While  he recognises that incarceration may sometimes be necessary, Brathwaite asks that it be a last resort. Moreover, the Minister of Home Affairs is looking to make the Adult treatment programme applicable to juveniles. In cases where adults in possession of illegal substances would have gone through rehabilitation to ascertain the genesis of such use, Brathwaite is hoping that this method would be helpful to juveniles as well and wants to launch the initiative by year end.

Additionally, the Attorney General wants the time of the court to be saved. Looking first at the way in which evidence is taken into court, Brathwaite says that the process of writing everything is outdated. Added to that, only serious offences will occupy the time of the court so that where mediation is a possibility for less serious offences, it may be used. Even further, the office of the Attorney General will be looking to see if the number of Judges is adequate. He said that the  number of people on remand awaiting trial or on bail, makes it a no brainer that there needs to be expedition in this process.

Furthermore, in Government’s commitment to see improved access to justice in Barbados, the laws are expected to be made accessible to the public via the internet, in a time undisclosed by Brathwaite. Taking all of this into account, Brathwaite stated that he practices somewhat of an open door policy where he is open to suggestions, especially where the legal protection Act is concerned. He insisted that he wanted the Bar to comment on the policy to be enacted by year end and pressed that for any of these plans to come to fruition, he needed their buy in.