“Timely, fair and unbiased adjudication and disposal of cases” – Chief Magistrate promises

DPI, GUYANA, Monday, February 5, 2018

Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan is confident that Resident Magistrate of the Rupununi Magisterial District, Justice Allan Wilson will ensure that the law is administered in a timely and efficient manner at the four courts he will preside over at Lethem, Annai, Aishalton and Karasabai, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region (Region Nine).

Speaking at the recent opening of the Rupununi Magisterial District Court Office, Lethem, Magistrate McLennan said the new court’s schedule, when it takes effect, will see within the first week of the month, the magistrate sitting at the Lethem Court, the second week in Annai, the third at Aishalton and the fourth at the Court in Karasabai.

This, she lauded, as a great improvement for the residents to access justice when compared to the previous quarterly sittings only at the Lethem Court and represents a significant milestone for the judiciary.

Each of the courts will facilitate the filing of documents, affiliation of child support applications, applications for protective orders under the Domestic Violence Act and uplifting of monies from bail and other transactions.

The Magistrates, Justice McLennan noted, are now better equipped to perform their duties efficiently and effectively because they now have the tools to do so.

“Cases before the court will be completed expeditiously and the distance to travel to court will be much shorter. This court opening is indeed intended to improve our court operations and services to court users.”

Justice McLennan said, in recognition that access to justice is one of the major pillars on which a society stands, the Judiciary, which is an independent arm of Government, took steps to ensure that the constitutional right of residents of the Rupununi Magisterial District, which is the largest, have access to justice easily.

Reflecting on the challenges, the Chief Magistrate said, residents were willing to make complaints which required the attention of the court, but could not do so because of the demographics of the area.

“Your dreams and the dreams of your fore-parents have become a reality. The representation made and hard work done by your fore parents and your Toshaos and your regional representatives were not in vain.”

She assured that the Magistracy remains committed to ensuring that access to justice is available to all Guyanese, and the courts at Annai, Aishalton and Karasabai is a testimony to its “unswerving commitment”.

 

By: Stacy Carmichael

 

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