Regional News

Trials without juries is one way to help clear up the backlog of cases in Trinidad and Tobago’s judicial system. Minister of Justice, Herbert Volney made the announcement on Monday morning as he addressed the Commonwealth North Atlantic Law Ministers Meeting in Port-of-Spain. Volney lamented the backlog of cases that presently is causing the pace of justice to be delayed in the local courts. Pointing to India and Belize as examples of places where trials are heard before judges and without the benefit of juries, Volney explained to journalists after his speech that there were also places in the Commonwealth where such systems work. The minister said the present backlog is such that it would take about 10 to 15 years for juries to hear the over 200 cases that are presently waiting to be tried. The minister also said many jurors served reluctantly and it was cheaper to have trials heard before a judge alone. He also noted that lawyers were less likely to waste time before a judge as they might before a jury. Law ministers from 15 other countries are in Trinidad attending the two day workshop convened in commemoration of this country's 50th year of Independence. The meeting includes participants from the United Kingdom, Canada, India, New Zealand, Jamaica and other countries.