(Jamaica Gleaner) With a crippling backlog of approximately 400,000 cases in the courts islandwide, a parliamentary oversight committee was in no mood on Wednesday for excuses as it sought answers from the justice ministry about plans to dramatically reduce the startling number.
An explanation given by Carol Palmer, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice, did not find favour with committee members who indicated that a timetable should be presented on the reduction of the backlog.
Palmer, who appeared before the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, said she could not provide details about the reduction of the backlog as she would have to be advised by the courts.
However, committee Chairman Edmund Bartlett told the permanent secretary that it was her responsibility to have that information available for the committee.
“The courts must tell you what their schedules are, how are they going to deal with this very serious problem of backlog because that is at the heart of dispensing of justice in our society,” a strident Bartlett stated.
