Vigilance Magistrates’ Court opens doors to public for historic ‘Grand Open Day’

The Vigilance Magistrates’ Courts on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) on Friday opened its gates not for legal proceedings, but to welcome the public into its halls, for a historic and enlightening, Grand Open Day—a public awareness initiative spearheaded by the Judiciary of Guyana.
The event, held from 10:00h to 14:00h, transformed the courtroom environment into an interactive educational space, also drawing students from scores of primary, nursery, and secondary schools such as President’s College, Apex Education, and Buxton Secondary.
There were also teachers and curious residents in attendance, eager to better understand the workings of the legal system.
In a rare opportunity, attendees explored a series of themed booths set up across the courthouse compound. Each booth offered insights into different facets of the judiciary.
At the Criminal Law Booth, students and visitors learned about criminal charges, due process, and sentencing. The Civil Law Booth addressed matters such as land disputes, contract enforcement, and domestic issues.
Adjacent to that was the Evidence Booth, which provided attendees with a first-hand look at how evidence is collected, preserved, and presented in court.
Visitors explored exhibits showcasing forensic techniques, chain of custody procedures, and the importance of physical and digital evidence in criminal and civil cases.
Court staff demonstrated how evidence integrity is maintained to ensure fair trials, emphasising the role of forensic science and technology in modern justice.

Magistrates and court staff engaged directly with attendees, answering questions, sharing legal brochures, and encouraging the younger generation to consider careers in law. Students were seen interacting enthusiastically with judicial officers, some taking notes and others snapping photos with the Magistrates.
Students from Apex Education, one of several schools that participated in the Open Day event, expressed how enlightening the experience was, and how it shifted their perceptions of the justice system.
For many, it was their first time entering a courtroom and engaging directly with legal professionals.
“When my entire group and I went into the criminal court, it piqued a few of our interests,” said Emma Vasquez-Ellis, a student of Apex Education. “We learned about the narcotics we should stay away from and that human trafficking doesn’t have to be cross-border—it can happen right here in our country.”
Another student, Sarah Paul, noted that the courtroom environment was nothing like she expected. “I really thought it would have been more scary because it’s a court,” she said. “But when I went into the courtroom, it was calm and peaceful. The environment was very nice.”
Among the students in also attendance was Romel Paul, who represented President’s College. Sharing his reflections on the experience, he said the event was deeply educational and aligned well with his academic aspirations.
“My experience today was very much knowledgeable,” Paul noted. “I’ve learned a lot about our judicial system, especially on child support and criminal cases. One of the most fascinating things I learned was that giving drugs to a child can be more effectively prosecuted as human trafficking. That stood out to me.” Paul, who plans to pursue Law Unit 2 next year, added that the event has deepened his interest in the legal field.
Delivering the feature address, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) told the audience: “Today is a happy day, because we’re not presiding over any matter—you’re not seeing the court where judgment is being passed. You’re seeing the court where we meet with the people. And that is important.”
She emphasised the initiative’s broader purpose: to dispel misconceptions about the justice system and reinforce its accessibility to all.
“There is sometimes a stigma,” she said. “‘No, we cannot go to the court, we cannot climb the court step.’ But the court is also a place of learning, of service, of guidance. And that’s what we are showing you today.”
Students from all levels, from young children in nursery schools to those preparing for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), were encouraged to explore careers in law. “You may choose to go on to sixth form and to write CAPE Law,” Justice Cummings-Edwards said. “This here is just the start of an exciting career, I must tell you.”
She added that the Open Day was also a platform to improve public trust and transparency in the legal system. “It removes any secrecy or shroud surrounding the justice system… and helps build a well-informed, empowered population that understands its rights.”
Justice Cummings-Edwards credited the success of the event to the collective efforts of the Registry staff from Georgetown, the team of Magistrates on the East Coast, and supporting administrative and Information Technology (IT) personnel. “This initiative is not a one-off,” she declared. “We plan to host at least two such Open Days across the country each year.”
She concluded her remarks with heartfelt thanks and encouragement to all in attendance: “Ask all the difficult questions. Don’t be shy. You’re not in court today, but you are in a court setting. Use this chance to learn and grow. May God continue to bless you all richly.”