US$25M reform scheme to widen justice for all Guyanese
Guyana Chronicle
February 17, 2007
THE US$25M Justice Sector Reform programme is expected to advance interaction among judicial institutions at the coordination and operational levels, enhance the investment climate through improved governance and reduce the backlog of court cases, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said yesterday.
The programme will be funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and as the preliminary phase for implementing the Justice Sector Reform Strategy (JSRS) approved by Cabinet in June last year.
According to GINA, implementation will be by the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Mr. Doodnauth Singh, who has the portfolio, would represent the government at semi-annual meetings with the IDB to review the progress and conditions for further disbursements.
GINA said the executing unit will be housed at the Carmichael Street, Georgetown ministry and the proposed implementation is to be launched with an initial US$10M investment component followed by a US$15M policy-based module.
The agency said its three components include accountability and administrative efficiency of service delivery in the justice sector, linking and improving coordination development within justice institutions and widening access to justice for all Guyanese.
Under sub-component three, legal aid services will be expanded to all Guyanese and public legal awareness and support for informal justice developed.
A technical secretariat will be set up to afford high level guidance and synchronisation for the execution of the JSRS, GINA said.
It added that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) will be strengthened this year, through improved governance, recruitment, human resource management and accountability of judges, magistrates and other court personnel.
GINA also said enhancing of skills and productivity of magistrates and judges will be targeted this year, too, and two policy analysts would be appointed to support the process.