Nassau, Bahamas - Strengthening
the criminal justice system is the focus of an unprecedented effort led by the
Office of the Attorney General as it aims to take a renewed look at the
judicial challenges confronting the Bahamian people. Key criminal justice
system stakeholders will work alongside a highly skilled team to improve the
efficiency and effectiveness of The Bahamas’ justice system.
The Hon. Dame Linda Dobbs DBE, the United Kingdom's first person of color
appointed to the high courts, along with His Honour Judge Roger Chapple, Mr.
Ben Yallop, Senior Listing Officer and Mr. Stuart Hill, justice system
administrator, will work with prosecutors, the judiciary, defence counsel and
the court reporting unit to assess challenges, provide training and strengthen internal
communication during a three week official mission in The Bahamas
In her 2015 Opening of the Legal Year address, the
Attorney-General, the Hon. Allyson Maynard-Gibson, highlighted the obstacles
that have slowed the criminal justice system over the past two decades. Absent
witnesses, delays in transcripts, scheduling conflicts, difficulty in empanelling
jurors and a lack of trial preparation have all contributed to a substantial
backlog of criminal cases.
"We have to be more transparent and more fully accountable about the
challenges we are facing; that is what the Bahamian people deserve and expect.
While these challenges are our own, they are not unique to The Bahamas and this
visiting team allows us to access the expertise of those who’ve helped others
overcome similar obstacles," said the Attorney-General.
The Hon. Dame Linda Dobbs has more than 10 years of
international experience in training the British, American, African and
Caribbean judiciaries in efficient and effective case management. His Hon.
Judge Chapple, UK Senior Circuit Court Judge, will also assist with case
management, while Mr. Ben Yallop will work to implement recommendations to
improve court reporting functions. Jury summonsing has consistently been an
issue for criminal justice courts and Mr. Stuart Hill will advise on jury
administration and the implementation of necessary reforms.
“I am excited about the team we have been able to pull
together,” remarked the Attorney-General. “Their work will support the progress
we’ve already made.”
The work of this team is made possible by an Inter-American Development Bank
grant to support the Government of The Bahamas in tackling the challenge of the
lengthy turnaround times of criminal cases.
"Old cases are being thoroughly reviewed and prepared. Communication,
cooperation and collaboration between the Office of the Attorney General and
stakeholders has led to excellent outcomes -utilizing existing resources,"
said the Attorney-General.
The
Attorney-General stressed, however, that no matter what changes are made to the
justice system, things will not improve without the full cooperation of the
Bahamian public.
"Bahamians do not want business as usual. They want
change and they want it now. The good news is that everyone working together,
including the Bahamian public, guided by the expertise of this team will
transform the system thereby truly enabling Swift Justice."
