Judiciary leveraging technology to improve delivery of justice

 

Senior Parish Judge for Manchester Michele Salmon is seeking to assure the parish that the direction and future of the court is promising. 

 

She says the court has been leveraging technology and innovation to improve efficiency and provide a better customer experience.

 

"We are harnessing technology to connect all courts, court one, court two, court three and all the courts within the existing outstations. Why? Because we believe that with the communication, with the technology, we can better manage the cases. So that if you are overseas, like the mayor did and travelled, he's able to see all of the matters that are in a particular court. That is where we are going."

 

Speaking of the inaugural Judiciary Day at the Manchester Family Court in Mandeville on Wednesday, Judge Salmon said measures are in place to prevent inequity.

 

"I can assure you that the safeguards are here. The safeguards are in place and the judiciary is here in the parish of Manchester to uphold those safeguards. The rights of the accused will never be jeopardised. There will be no inadequate legal representation, and where that is being observed, we will ensure that the scales are balanced so that those who are represented and those who are not represented will also get the same balanced and fair treatment," she pledged. 

 

Meanwhile, Opposition spokesperson on Justice Senator Donna Scott Mottley has welcomed the initiative of the Jamaican judiciary to celebrate the achievements in the justice system. 

 

She noted that at a time when public trust in institutions is often strained, initiatives like this can play a valuable role in demystifying the justice system and reaffirming the centrality of the rule of law in the country's democracy.

 

"I especially applaud the emphasis on outreach to young people, which can inspire the next generation of legal minds and defenders of justice. However, as we open the courts to the public in symbolic celebration, we must remain grounded in the urgent need for systemic reform and tangible improvements. Access to timely justice, the protection of vulnerable victims, proper resourcing of the courts, and the implementation of long-promised legislative measures must remain at the forefront of our collective efforts," said the opposition spokesperson.