Rules of Law to govern Family Court completed – Chancellor

Georgetown: Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh said that much anticipated Family Court is expected to be operationalised by mid-year.

According to the acting Chancellor, training sessions are currently ongoing to prepare the staff for the work they will be doing.

He disclosed that only last weekend a training programme for the staff at the registry was concluded and another such session will be held today for the reminder of the staff at the registry.

Additionally, he said that there will be more training programmes in the future to target members of the Bar and this will be followed for a finally session for the all the judges of the High Court.

The Chancellor of the Judiciary pointed out that the Rules of Law to govern the practices and procedures of the Family Court has been completed.

However, he pointed out that some necessary amendments had to be made. Justice Singh further stated that when the 11th Parliament is convened, the revised rules will be presented for approval and this will have to be done before the Court commences operations.

On the other hand, while two judges have been appointed and there are two court rooms at the facility, it has not been decided as yet which two judges will be presiding at the Family Court, Justice Singh stated. “All of the judges have been receiving training, refreshing programmes- in areas of law and procedures relating to the Court so I would think basically all of our judges are competent to preside in the Family Court,” he outlined.

Asked whether any of the current judges are specialised in the area of Family Law, the Chancellor explained that while there are no such persons, there are judges who are knowledgeable in the area.

He named Appeal Court Judge Justice Yonnette Cummings-Edwards and High Court judge Justice Roxanne George-Whiltshire, both of whom, he stated, have a mass of considerable experience in the area but ruled out any suggestions that these two would preside at the new facility.

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC), of which Justice Singh is the Chairman, has appointed two more female judges and they are expected to be sworn-in soon. Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jo-Ann Barlow are the new additions to the complement of Puisne judges.