MAGISTRATE’S COURTS OFFICIALLY INAUGURATED IN BELIZE CITY

September 06, 2006

A ceremony took place this morning for a permanent dwelling for the Belize City Magistrates Courts.  The opening at the former Prime Minister’s office, Treasury and Central Bank offices came four years to the month after the Magistrates Courts were displaced on Sunday September 29, 2002 by a fire that gutted the historic Paslow Building in Belize City.   Chief Justice, Doctor Abdulai Conteh, says while the new court building is not one of gleam like those in other countries, the quality of justice that will be administered in the building is high.

His Lordship, Abdulai Conteh, Chief Justice of Belize

“It’s significant because it marks yet another building block that has been put in place for the administration of justice. This is the first time that all the Magistrates Courts for Belize City are being put together under one roof with the family court. Since the fire that consumed the Paslow Building, the Magistrate’s Court has had to operate from rented premises from the Sikaffy Building on Bishop Street while the Family Court continued to on top of the Commercial Building which was really the market place. The edifice we are here to open and dedicate is not a gleaming tower of steel, glass and marble that used to be found in some of our neighboring countries rather it is a modest two storey building of Utilitarian functionality. This does not of course diminish in any way, the quality of justice administered in it.” 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Said Musa, said his government is also taking steps to address other challenges facing the administration of justice in Belize.

Hon. Said Musa, Prime Minister of Belize

“With the implementation of the new civil procedure rules, much progress has been made in making the process of going to court easier and hopefully less expensive in terms of the resolution of civil disputes, the reform of the Criminal Justice System is an ongoing exercise. We are moving ahead with affording greater access to justice and equal protection of the law through the reform of the Legal Aid and Advice Center, Reform of Domestic Violence Legislation and indeed more reasonable fees in the attendance of witness in cases. Affording protection to witnesses in criminal cases regrettably has become a matter of great importance and our government and our legislature will be looking more actively at dealing with that issue in the context of the work being done in our region on a whole CARICOM. I too share the concern expressed by our Chief Justice on previous occasions for the need for a clear and comprehensive Bail Act. Let me assure your Lordship that the Executive remains committed despite fiscal constraints to do all that is possible to increase all resources available for the administration of Justice. I’m sorry the Treasury didn’t leave any behind and in particular, Sir, to increase the number of judges for the Supreme Court.”

Attorney General, Francis Fonseca, spoke of the urgency in making an appropriate building available.

Francis Fonseca, Attorney General of Belize

“With the great majority of criminal and civil cases in our country brought and determined in our magistrate’s court, an increasingly growing number of family and juvenile cases, most Belizeans form an opinion of the justice system based on their experiences in these courts. It is imperative therefore that we do everything to ensure that, that experience is one which promotes respect and dignity and engenders a sense of confidence in the administration of justice. This new home I am confident will advance this objective. It has been long awaited and eagerly anticipated. The Treasury department was still moving out when My Lord, Chief Justice and I with the help and support of so many others got to work crafting a plan for the new Courts. It was no easy task and indeed we have found no perfect solution. Challenges remain an undoubtedly in the near future there will be a necessity for a new building but we can celebrate and be proud of these new courts. They’re clearly a marked improvement over what existed and represent the fulfillment of yet another of our Government’s Commitment in our efforts to more effective and efficiently deliver justice.”

The Magistrate’s Court is located across from the Supreme Court building on Regent Street in Belize City.

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