The number of people seeking redress via a local television programme aired daily at 6 pm is clearly evident of the need for more courts, more court time and expeditious arbitration for petty matters.
The lack of adequate magistrates’ courts, less than adequate numbers of magistrates, late start and early end of the court day, adjournments for simple frivolous reasons, unpreparedness of police and prosecutors and the slow manner in which court proceedings are conducted all do not help a most frustration situation in this country.
Not to mention the poor physical facilities and very shabby treatment meted out to citizens attending to court matters. Imagine that at the Chaguanas Magistrates’ Court people attending to matters there must stand under a canvas tent and when it is filled you are out bracing yourself against the elements. The court officials and police officers do not help the situation grabbing every opportunity to embarrass people.
Too often, simple matters such as child maintenance, non-returned down payments for land, house or car are made into grand investigative issues. Imagine people who pay for jobs to be done and get nothing for their hard-earned money or do work for unscrupulous employers and are not paid have nowhere to turn.
People do get some measure of relief from the television show but the real issue is the country’s inability to provide justice on time, if at all. Many people are just languishing out there grabbing at straws for justice while our lawmakers twiddle their thumbs and heckle each other in Parliament.
We need more courts, more court prosecutors and legal aid personnel, court officials who are more helpful than discouraging; earlier start of court and later closing times; night courts and speedier processes in court with both sides coming to the fore well prepared. Why at all should the courts be closed for months on end? There are too many matters waiting for arbitration for that.
Are our Attorney General and Chief Justice for real or are they just enjoying the thought that the country must wait on them?
WKS Hosein,
Chaguanas