Attorney General announces new plans for judiciary

While the Chief Justice made no major announcement regarding the administration of justice over the next twelve months, the same does not hold true for Attorney General Dean Barrow. Using the privilege of responding to Sir George’s review speech, Barrow revealed that in the coming months, several things will happen, which should go a long way in helping to boost public confidence in Belize’s court system.

Dean Barrow, Attorney General

The fact that the outgoing Chief Justice has been appointed Law Revision Commissioner and will have the job now of producing a new edition of the substantive laws of this country, which will include the bringing into conformity with the Constitution of all pre-independence laws and then the introduction which ought to happen by the end of next month, of a comprehensive law reform bill into the National Assembly and there is as well a third development, the expected arrival of two Australian judges who will sit temporarily in this jurisdiction to help us clear off once and for all the back log of Supreme Court cases.

Barrow says negotiations are proceeding smoothly and as a result of progress made so far, a member of the Australian Judicial system is currently in Belize on a fact finding mission. Funding for the procurement of assistance from the Australian judges is being provided by the Commonwealth Secretariat.