CJ says judiciary is cash strapped

And while Justice Conteh admits that Belize’s justice system is not perfect, he says the biggest problem is its lack of resources.

Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh
“It may sound like I am blowing my own horn, but I will be forgiven for that. I don’t think Belize’s judiciary has anything to be ashamed of. We have an independent judiciary only it is cash-strapped; starved of resources. We need equipment to make the courts function properly. We need more magistrates, we need more Supreme Court Judges. We don’t have all of these and you have a slew of cases coming everyday to court, sometimes judgments are delayed invariable because of the judge’s time, they do not have enough time to do all the cases at the same time or write timely judgments.”

Kendra Griffith
“Any success in getting governments to let go of a couple more dollars every year?”

Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh
“They are trying their best but it’s not easy. There are other demands; education, health, infrastructure. But the government is trying its best but they can do more. And I will not tire of asking for more.”

The workshop was held at the Radisson Fort George in Belize City. While in the country, Judge Hopkins will also be speaking to students from St. John’s Junior College and Extension.