The Guyana Justices of the Peace (JP) Association elected a new executive when it launched its Essequibo Chapter at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on May 30.

In a press release General Secretary Derek Gulcharran told the audience including a number of JPs from the Essequibo Coast, that the Association had undertaken a number of initiatives under the leadership of Hermon Bholaisingh since he assumed the post last May. These include timely amendments to the Association’s Constitution; ongoing membership expansion; the delegation of authority and accessibility to meetings in the creation of chapters in Berbice and Essequibo; institutionalising formal training for JPs and COAs along with hosting monthly meetings and establishing a Professional Conduct Committee to monitor performance and professionalism.

Gulcharran also noted the association is also advocating for a community-based mediation venture with a view to settling disputes amicably before they reach the courts. The group is also pursuing the Lay Magistrate’s Bill that was tabled in Parliament in 1990 and accountability to the competent state authority. Gulcharran said too the newly-elected executive committed to presenting an action plan for approval to the executive body in Georgetown.