THE EDITOR, Sir:
SCREAMING HEADLINES recently reported 'R.M. shortage'. This presents difficulties for the Chief Justice who has the onerous task of overseeing the judicial system!
This condition must not be allowed to continue much longer or we may have a collapse of the system.
From my knowledge as a counsellor/social worker, I observe that people's attitudes have changed significantly over the years and many persons are angry, perhaps frustrated sometimes because of the amount of time it takes for some cases to be removed from the courts calendar.
Some litigants abandon pursuit of their cases because of one or more of the following reasons:
Witnesses; the police; non-attendance of complainants/res-pondents, who may have given fictitious names or addresses; and mutual compromising of case, without informing or consulting the court.
In the past, letters were addressed to a former Minister of Justice for certain adjustments needed for normal delivery of service to the public.
(a) I suggested an additional magistrate at the Family Court to effect speedier disposal of cases.
(b) Mention was also made concerning the unsuitability of the present location of that body.
(c) On the question of security it is noted that often persons enter the court premises with offensive weapons including guns and are not frisked even although those persons may be carrying their weapons legitimately.
(d) On Special Security in a crisis the Family Court judges should have a private exit route.
(e) We note that it takes the full co-operation and liaison of the varied services of the court: the administrator, senior counsellors, intake counsellors, the Children's Services Division, the police, the probation/after-care services, the clerks of courts and the secretarial services and also the lowly office attendant who are pledged to adhere to the provisions of the Official Secrets Act to deliver a normal service.
(f) We must also remind ourselves that many of our clients are not literate and that often a smile or a gentle word from each team member can do wonders in allaying fears and reducing stress or anger.
I ask the powers that be the Jamaica Bar Association, the Judicial Services Commission and the Chief Justice to apply their wisdom acquired over the years to correct this 'shortage' to not only solve our problem but also to make Jamaica a model for the Caribbean where "Justice is not only done, but appear to be done."
Can this little ditty spur us on to a brighter future?
"If a task is once begun, never leave it till it's done;
Be the labour great or small
Do it well or not at all."
I am, etc.,
A.V. DUNN
Family Counsellor
Kingston 10
