Minister of Justice, Immigration and National Security Rayburn Blackmoore has announced that three new Magistrates will be appointed to assist in the improvement of the justice system in Dominica.
The magistrates are former Chief Magistrate of Dominica, Gail Royer; former Senior Magistrate of Antigua, Asquith Riviere and former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Hansel Valerie, who will be appointed as a Lay Magistrate.
“In continuing in its efforts and in response to calls from the business sector for the court matters to be dealt with much quicker and to facilitate family and juvenile matters at the court, especially in the absence of a family court and also a demonstration of this government’s commitment to the protection of the environment, the cabinet at its meeting Wednesday, May,3rd 2016 approved the following measures geared towards improving in the dispensation of justice on the beautiful country of Dominica: appointment of two qualified magistrates on contract and one of those magistrates’s will deal specifically with civil matters,” Blackmoore said on Friday.
The Lay Magistrate will be appointed on contract to deal with matters such as uncontested traffic issues, offenses under the Litter Act, rent and liquor licences and issues dealing with the environment.
Additionally, Blackmoore said, an existing qualified Magistrate will be deployed to provide for one Magistrate to deal specifically with juvenile and family matters.
Two clerical staff will also be appointed and the position of Court Administrator will be created, Blackmoore stated.
This, he said, comes with some cost implications in the region of $300,000, which is the additional cost needed to put the systems in place annually.
And there is magistrate Bernard Pacquette who has outburst in the court. Screams at persons like they are his children. The ministry needs to send someone to observe because this man does not have the capacity respect to speak with another human being.
These retired magistrates are just coming for a good time no big deal. They are rather tired. Are they competent?
Good move! some of the lawyers getting out of control we need the magistrates to keep them at check.contempt of court monies coming in. we all will agree the length of time it takes before a hearing.KERRO and his boys well active. If YOU ARE LAW abiding you got nothing to lose.
Why put more people on the pay role when we all know everything in Dominica is controlled by the one man government? No matter how many new heads occupying the office of magistrate, the three new magistrates have always been and always will be: 1. Roosevelt, 2. Skerrit, 3. Oneman
Very good. Former Deputy Commissioner Hensel Valarie brings great competence ,industry and integrity to this lower judiciary office. CONGRATULATIONS!!
Ok, finally Gon and his wife will get some justice
Hi DNO I just want to confirm the name, is it Hansel Valerie or Hansel Valmond? By the way Great choice on the pick and or appointment of Mr. Asquith Riviere, very knowledgeable, down to earth, no nonsense person. If I am not mistaken I think he has acted several times as Chief Magistrate in Antigua and though he was passed on for Chief Magistrate to another, that Controversial Individual did not last after a short period of time. Great Move by the Government in bringing this thing to fruition.
Give credit where its due, a small step in the right direction, a response before the question, it takes time and money we get it! but hopefully we will some Day arrive where we will conduct night courts in futher efforts to enhance our entire court system. some say i talk like him, yes we were doing beat patrol all around Roseau, i
I happu i trained him well as a young Police officer, not as a politician. Sheeee, dont tell him!!! i said that! Comrade we all in this together, we have to spend to cut our losses, ie in products of the mid evils of todays society, plagueing our World. Our motto should always be lets nip it in the buds before it escalates out of control, prevention is better than cure. Thats not critizing Dominica? that`s keeping Real!
Politics again, former senior magistrate of Antigua. What has happened to former magistrate and sports commentator Mr. Ossie Lewis. Maybe he chose the wrong radio station to have his very popular sports show. Watch your steps Sebo, we all know who is the second big boss at WICB, I would not be surprised before the year has ended, being Manager of the WI team might be a thing of the past.
Well if government give them a job, does that mean they will continue to side/ judge with the government in matters? lets face it…no one bites the hand that feeds them.
When they cannot get the grapes they keep on shouting they are sour. Thanks God it is the same Prime Minister who is there give them a job. Just
relax Bimshi finish with you lick your bobo labour ka travay.
Well some people know how to drink their vomit.
Much has been said about the need to improve the justice system in Dominica. There have been news articles and releases about what various ministers and public servants proposed to do but some have felt change is slow in coming.
Citizens will be encouraged to see Minister Blackmoore taking practical steps beyond making promises.
This article shows he has given thought and put together a plan one would expect will make a difference.
Included in this is an effort to speed up the hearing of cases, and also to provide more specialized, caring, and sensitive justice for children and families. This is probably the most hopeful news in a long time.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Fair is Fair, we all hoping for the Best for our country, therefore tough love sometimes is warranted, our passion and love for country never ceases our bank account in Dominica is our down payment to the country to assiist those who are much more in need than those of us who are still working to make life better for all Dominicans where ever they may be. Never forget!
So they dump Auzie because they said he is at retirement age yet they bringing in retirees as magistrate.
I am forced to wonder whether the liars in office called adminis traitors understand that a lie has no elasticity- it breaks very easily.