A very public dispute between High Court Judge Victoria Charles-Clarke and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Evelina Baptiste, has been settled.
Last Friday, Baptiste apologized to Charles-Clarke in court over statements she made in the media and the apology was accepted.
“This matter, for all intents and purpose is now considered closed,” Registrar Ossie Walsh said in a statement.
Recently Charles-Clarke had chastised the office of the DPP for what she described as not doing “enough for the speedy prosecution of matters.”
She noted that matters at the office of the DPP were “unacceptable” since important judicial time was being wasted before matters were prosecuted and the office must put its house in order since things have gone too far.
She also said efforts must be made to improve operations at the office of the DPP.
But DPP Baptiste hit back with a press release, blasting Charles-Clarke for being “DPP and Judge and setting cases for the DPP. ”
She said the judge’s statements were “erroneous and unfortunate”.
Baptiste accused the judge of usurping the authority of the Director of Public Prosecutions by setting matters for trial.
“It is the Director of Public Prosecutions, in consultation with the Judge, who is responsible for setting matters for trial,” she said.
Last week Charles-Clarke refused to hear Baptiste in court, telling her “I will not hear you.”
Walsh described the matter as “both unfortunate and regrettable.”
In a statement to the media on Friday 23 June 2017, Registrar, Ossie Walsh, wrote that the recent developments “between The Bar and The Bench which spilled over into the public arena are both unfortunate and regrettable”.
“This morning, in open court, the Honourable Director of Public Prosecutions offered an apology regarding her statement to the press which Her Ladyship Justice Charles-Clarke accepted. This matter, for all intents and purpose is now considered closed,” Walsh wrote.
“The court will continue to jealously guard and safeguard at all times its integrity and purpose as it continues to administer impartially justice for all in its overall quest to uphold the Administration of Justice in the Commonwealth of Dominica,” he said.
Common scense Prevail! Next time make sure Brain is engaged before mouth open. The Damage is Done, the truth we all knew what is going on, a stitch in time will save much Resources, time, and we are looking for Real Change in our Court System. We go see! There are no winners here, as the people still suffer. Fix it!!!
I agree with the Judge to much complacency in the Judicial system. To much reviews more time needed ETC. Start to hold people accountable in this country. Bwavo Judge Victoria!
I had the preveledge to attend court on some matters. The judge is completely right. The judiciary here is a total waste of time. A simple matter took years to resolve. There is incessant request for time off from work for the parties involved. One gets the impression that the judiciary here has no regard for the principle that time means money. There are adjournments for the magistrate is sick no communication of that fact to parties involved police not prepared, compliant didn’t show up, witness was not informed of date no show and on and on. This complete waste of time would never be tolerated in private sector.This led me to thinking what could be done to streamline this albatross.what about setting some punitive guidelines for the time being untill the caseload is cleared.The lawyer postpones pay the fee, not the client. Gov’t procecution delays without just reason pay the lawyer her time.At the end of the exercise review the system to make permanent changes for…
she should have applied for judicial review before apologizing lol. They are a all time wasters if you should asked me. What about the Gone Emmanuel Case and the Isidore case what about them my GOD in heaven.
I Glad. too many cases being dismissed, adjourned and not properly tired because the DPP blunders the preparations. If i was an active criminal id have gotten away with many murders because these people fumble about and look lost before every court case. Ask any juror.
Mrs. Charles-Clarke is extremely professional and holds significant restraint when dealing with the DPP. I have admired her level of class from the moment i first saw her in the court room.
I meant restraint when dealing with Officers from the Office of the DPP. Not necessarily the DPP herself.
The DPP did the right thing to apolgise. I hope she has learnt her lesson and I am happy that the matter is now closed.
Well done Judge Victoria, simple things are taking much too long to get heard in court and also the lawyers want to take a good look at themselves in the mirror for time wasting.
It would be wise for you to think and make an honest assessment of the judicial system in DA before you make this type of comment Have you ever stopped to think of the volume of increased crime that the DPP’s office has to deal with? Has the staff increased? Has the resources increased? All these cases have to be prepared for thoroughly by the DPP’s office. That entails hours and hours of work besides the hours they spend in court, that is why they have to work late hours and on weekends. Why don’t you petition the AG and the minister of justice in that regard? The judge stated that”efforts must be made to improve operations at the office of the DPP.” Is she seeing the effects of the high crime volume that the DPP office has to deal with, without adequate resources and personnel?
Seems to me the DPP does not need my help to appeal to the AG . She evidently is very capable of speaking for herself.
Have you ever been a Juror? if not maybe you need the experience. the DPP has made my experiences wastes om time.
Not often I agree with you dogbiter but this time I do. Nice, note from Ossie Walsh but what I really would like to know if from now one cases will be processed faster and more professionally. Otherwise this piece of paper means very little and all we had was a very public, undignified spat between two vexed women.