Programme launched to build public trust, confidence in Judiciary

…initiative key to upholding good governance – outgoing Canadian envoy

To build public trust and confidence in the judicial system, the Judiciary of Guyana on Wednesday held a virtual launch of its public education and engagement programme. Another objective of the programme is to assure the citizenry that the wheels of justice are turning despite the COVID-19 crisis, which has in many ways affected the functioning of the judiciary.

Like many countries, Guyana has introduced sweeping measures to prevent the spread of the disease, including lockdowns, restrictions on social gatherings, and closure of public facilities. But these measures have had unprecedented impacts on the judiciary, including court closures, delayed proceedings, and the increased use of online platforms to access justice.
However, even amid a public health crisis, the Judiciary had recognised that it must be able to fulfill essential services and provide justice, which includes the hearing of matters. In this regard, it developed practice directions which, among other things, detailed the operations of the courts and determined which matters are considered urgent.
Delivering remarks at the launch, Chief Justice Roxane George provided an overview of the initiative, stating that just before the pandemic hit, the Judiciary, the Guyana Bar Association, the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers, and the Canada-funded Judicial Reform and Institutional Strengthening (JURIST) Project were working together on a public education and engaging working group.
She said that the working group, along with a consulting firm hired by the JURIST Project, was in the process of developing public education campaigns designed to build public trust and confidence in the judiciary.

The Chief Justice, however, noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has reordered the judiciary’s communication strategy. In light of this, she added, the judiciary commenced a campaign titled: “We Can Still Hear You”.
“This campaign helped us to assure citizens that, despite the pandemic, the judicial system continued to function, and there was access to justice as their matters could still be heard. This campaign featured judicial officers delivering messages on social media and radio. This opened up a new dimension in our relationship with the citizenry, by having leaders in the judiciary speak directly to the public about the rule of law and access to justice,” Justice George explained.
The Chief Justice added that access to justice in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is seeing continued expansion, as the Judiciary employs a range of technology and platforms for hearing matters. She said, too, that these new measures embrace flexibility about where judges, magistrates, claimants, defendants, prosecutors, the Police, complainants, and accused could be located at the time of a hearing or trial.

Urgent cases
Speaking about the practice directions, Justice George noted, “I particularly highlight domestic violence application being in the category of urgent cases. These matters require special attention due to the risk to family members, especially women and children. I also highlight the recommencement of jury trials, as we seek to ensure that accused, especially those in custody, have their trials conducted within a reasonable time, as mandated by the Constitution of Guyana.”
She added that COVID-19 safety guidelines have resulted in restrictions of the opening hours of registries, court offices, and the enforcement of limits on how many persons can physically be in the courts and such registries and offices.
Justice George nevertheless noted that the overarching communication project to build public trust and confidence in the judiciary remains a very important focus of the partnership with the JURIST Project. She added that as the judiciary returns to implementing its core communication strategy, it would build on the “We Can Still Hear You” campaign to educate the public about the judicial system.

Good governance
For her part, outgoing Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee, noted that public trust and confidence in the judiciary is important in maintaining a democratic society and upholding good governance.
Chatterjee commended the judiciary for launching the timely initiative, and pledged her country’s support for the effort.
According to the Canadian envoy, “If the public does not understand the value of the judicial branch, they will not be will to support it through their taxes and other funding, or serve their roles on juries, or trust the decisions that come from the system. A lack of trust and support in the system has grave consequences.”
Chatterjee pointed out that educating the public about what courts, judges, and lawyers do needs to start at an early age.
Chatterjee explained that the public education and engagement programme uses different tools and communication channels to ensure that the message of “We Can Still Hear You” be heard throughout all segments of the population.
“A strong judiciary is one that listens to those it serves. I am thrilled to see Guyana’s judiciary using different means to reach and serve the public more effectively. I am pleased that the judiciary has placed a strong emphasis on public education and engagement,” she noted.