The task is daunting!
That’s according to Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions King’s Counsel Jeremy Taylor, who was reacting to the overwhelming number of cases for the Michaelmas Term of the Home Circuit Court, that have been traversed from the previous Easter Term.
The Michaelmas Term, which commenced on Monday, has 982 cases. Eight hundred and eighty-four of those cases have traversed.
Robian Williams reports.
Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions King’s Counsel, Jeremy Taylor, says the large volume of cases in the Home Circuit Court, is straining not just the court but also the resources of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, ODPP.
Based on statistics from the ODPP, the court faces a caseload of 982 matters for the Michaelmas Term.
Of the 884 cases brought forward, 325 are murder related.
Thirty-seven cases concern Possession of Access Devices and Identity Information and thirty-five are about Wounding with Intent.
As for Sexual Offence cases, there are 413 that were traversed.
Of that figure, 178 are rape cases, 137 concern sexual intercourse with a person under 16 years, and thirty-two are related to grievous assault.
KC Taylor notes that the number of matters to be addressed is shocking and concerning.
He noted the significant time and resources consumed by gang-related cases and emphasized the urgent need for policy changes, particularly regarding sexual offences.
The Senior Prosecutor says, “I think we don’t get sufficient attention placed by policymakers on sexual offences, we have all manner of legislation to deal with firearms and murders and hardly anything is being done about the high level of sexual offences. It has become cultural and part of the landscape.”
To address the backlog and reduce trial duration, KC Taylor is suggesting legislative changes to streamline procedures, including agreements between the Private and Public Bars and the use of bench trials.
In response, KC Peter Champagnie says the Private Bar needs to look strongly at itself concerning cooperation and representation.
He says the time has come for the Bar to be more proactive, especially in case management hearings.
KC Champagnie adds that the disparity between Private and Public Bars is too wide.
Meanwhile, King’s Counsel Valerie Neita-Robertson, is expressing hope that cases in the Michaelmas Term of the Home Circuit Court will be resolved in a timely manner.
KC Neita-Robertson is also voicing frustration over a range of issues, highlighting the need for improvements to ensure a more efficient justice system.
Valerie Neita-Robertson, King’s Counsel.
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