THE EDITOR, Sir:
LIFE, LIBERTY and property are too precious to everyone for any one judge to make decisions on any of them for obvious reasons.
Every summons, application or trial should be presided over by at least two judges, at least one of whom should be a lawyer qualified to practise. A judge not so qualified should be a member of a special panel of Justices of the Peace.
The above can only improve the quality of justice and establish an example to the rest of the world. The requirement for two judges to preside at first instance is nothing new. The law governing trials at Petty Sessions is clear that one Justice can only try a case with the consent of the defendant, because it has long been recognised that two heads are better than one even if, as we say in Jamaica, they are fish heads.
Incidentally, the promised and long-awaited shorthand writers in court should be implemented without further delay to facilitate the recording of accurate narrative of proceedings and to unburden judges of making onerous notes while at the same time thereby impeding assessment of demeanours of deponents which is vitally necessary in determining credit.
I am, etc
OWEN CROSBIE
oss@cwjamaica.com
