Guyana’s judicial system needs radical overhaul

Feb 22, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
Chief Justice (ag), Yonette Cummings-Edwards and outgoing Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Carl Singh, proudly cut the ribbon to formally re-open the Sparendaam Magistrates Court which had been closed for almost a year to facilitate the construction of a new building, citing that two Magistrates will now preside to deal with the backlogs. What about other judicial and magisterial districts? Are the residents of Lethem and Bartica, for example, not entitled to speedy justice also? What about public disclosures, tenders and advertisements concerning the costs and allocation of this public works contract? We deserve public accountability.
Unfortunately, photo-ups like these will not alleviate the culture of procrastination and downright laziness that has plagued our judicial system – one that will only get worse unless changes are made from the highest offices to the lowest ones.
It is little secret that many judicial officials from top to bottom, from Georgetown to Linden to Lethem and all across the country only work part time. Many of them do not return for work after lunch and those who remain in their offices have prolonged breaks indulging in paper work related to their private businesses. Most have allowed their decisions to accumulate for years and procrastination is noticeable. Some have left the positions without giving a written decision on completed cases, further backlogging the system unnecessarily with de novo (new) trials. Let me make it plain; this is not a blanket statement. This is not directed at all; I say emphatically some of them do behave as described. The system does have very good and dedicated judicial officers – both judges and magistrates. They deserve our respect.
Poor work ethics aside and the culture of favoritism are endemic. Ask any practitioner, and he or she will tell you there are lawyers, mentors or friends who will barefacedly and unmitigatingly receive favoured treatment. Long gone are the days when a courtroom in Guyana reflected humanity, clarity and justice. We are no longer colonial plantations, but a Republic. More importantly, justice delayed is justice denied, even if the new, spanking court rooms are paved in gold.
Shakoor Maharaj

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