Residents of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) will have swift access to justice now that the Rupununi Magisterial District Court Office has officially been opened. This District Office will also handle administrative matters of the courts at Lethem, Aishalton, Annai, and Karasabai.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of this District Court on Friday, acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, reflected on the
Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag)
many challenges the region’s residents had faced. She said that sittings of the Magistrates Court in Lethem were held for two weeks on a quarterly basis. “For areas like Monkey Mountain, the Magistrate would come in on the flight, and 30 minutes before the flight goes back, within that period he or she would hold court and then they go back to Georgetown. Could that be justice in the circumstances?” she asked rhetorically.
Emphasising that justice is “not one-sided”, Justice Cummings-Edwards said the magistrates were not the only ones affected. “Persons coming from Karasabai and even Aishalton, most of the times court was held here in Lethem and they would have to travel sometimes two days just to get to court; and when the water is high, it would take even longer for them to get to the court,” she detailed.
The Magistrate’s Court was previously held in the Police Station in a small room
His Worship Allan Wilson, Resident Magistrate of the Rupununi Magisterial District.
“which was 10 by 10…the Magistrates, the lawyers, the prosecutors, the prisoners, everyone assembled in that room for justice,” Justice Cummings-Edwards related.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) also incurred financial expenses as a result of the court system in that region. For instance, if someone were charged with an unbailable offence, the transportation cost for that person to stand trial before the Chief Magistrate in Georgetown would be the responsibility of the GPF.
In cases where persons were not imprisoned and had to be returned to the district to await the next court date, in some cases three months later, room was left for them to take advantage of the system by engaging in other illegal activities, she explained.
According to the acting Chancellor, “We have looked at all of those factors, and we have seen the benefits the District here would have for all the residents, for all concerned”.
The instrumental role that Justice Carl Singh, former Chancellor of the Judiciary, played in realizing this District Court Office was highlighted and commended. Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards pointed out that Justice Singh, recognising that the conditions under which the law was being administered in the Rupununi were not suitable, acquired the present land on which the Supreme Court was able to construct the District Office.
With the opening of the office, residents will now have centralised services for their legal matters, such as bail refunds and payment for licences, among other things.
Another plus for the region is the appointment of His Worship Magistrate Allan Wilson as the Resident Magistrate for the Rupununi Magisterial District, which will guarantee timely dispensation of justice.
Delivering brief remarks, Magistrate Wilson said excuses can no longer be advanced for delays in the dispensation of fair-play within the District.
Magistrate Wilson also reflected on what used to obtain in terms of the space constraints, poor furnishing, and long hours for hearing of cases within the designated two weeks at the Lethem Court. He said the job had to be done in spite of those challenges.
“The creation of this sub-registry and the expansion of the Rupununi Magisterial District to include courts at Aishalton and Karasabai will greatly assist the people of this region. No longer will the litigants have to travel long distances to Georgetown…or depend on the Post Office for the payment of child support; and it will also now be easier for domestic violence issues to be addressed in a timely fashion”, Magistrate Wilson pointed out.
The Magistrate and other staff are now better accommodated, and are therefore better positioned to adequately provide services which were previously inaccessible within the region.
Magistrate Wilson expressed gratitude to the Government of Guyana and members of the Judiciary for the achievement of what is described as a “historic milestone” for the justice sector.
Lethem Mayor, Carlton Beckles, also said the advent of regular court hearings would contribute to timely litigation and assist the regional administration in meeting its goals as a township.
He noted, “We have joined other municipalities, like Linden, Bartica and New Amsterdam, just to name a few. We will also now benefit, from time to time, (by) the other services provided by this entity; and for these reasons, I pledge our unconditional support”.
Mayor Beckles also called on residents to see the court as a “necessary ingredient in the menu of development.”
The Supreme Court conducted extensive consultations with Toshaos, the regional administration, residents, the GPF and agencies, particularly the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC).
The establishment of the Rupununi Magisterial District Court Office falls under the Justice Improvement Project.
