Government seek to increase Lay Magistrates

Prime Minister, Bruce Golding said the government is seeking to increase the number of Lay Magistrates to help to reduce the backlog of court cases.



Mr. Golding said there are plans to separate the Lay Magistrates from the Justices of the Peace to carry out the court functions.



He said more training would be provided for the Lay Magistrates to preside on certain court cases, and the services of the Dispute Resolution Foundation would be better utilised.



The Prime Minister said several bills are to be tabled in Parliament within the next few months.