Hinkson on backlog: Put time limits on judges

Barbados must implement legislation requiring magistrates and judges to make decisions in a stipulated time period.

 

Pointing to the backlog of cases in the Barbadian justice system, Opposition MP Edmund Hinkson argued that not only was it taking too long for cases to be heard, but also delays in the rulings were very lengthy.

 

Citing one case where a judge took almost four years to voice his ruling, the attorney-at-law said, “I think that the time has come for this Government to bring before this Parliament a Limitation of Time Period for Rendering of Judicial Decisions Act. Guyana has brought it, compelling their judges to make a decision within six months of the case ending. There is absolutely no reasoning why a judge ... cannot give an oral decision as soon as a case has ended. In fact, that is the best time to render decisions, when all the facts are fresh in your mind.” 

 

“If the judges won’t give their decisions, put some time limits on them by way of legislation. Rather than that we see some judges routinely retire, with decisions that are outstanding and still be paid their gratuity. They should not be paid gratuity, this is my submission, until they render all outstanding decisions. This is a major problem,” Hinkson stressed.

 

Delivering his presentation in the debate on the Magistrates’ Court (Amendment) Bill, 2016, he agreed with the stance of Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite that the culture of adjournments adding to the backlog of the justice system must come to an end, insisting that there was too much “time-wasting”.

 

“Judges ought not to be given adjournments as a matter of foresight; they should be backed by penalties paid by the attorneys-at-law if the case merits itself,” the MP for St. James North underlined. (JMB)