The Judiciary of Jamaica has begun its Remote Hearing Guidelines aimed at guiding the technological methods for the conduct of remote hearings in all courts. The guidelines are designed to ensure consistency and uniformity in these proceedings.
The publishing of the Remote Hearing Guidelines, according to Chief Justice Bryan Sykes, is part of the Judiciary’s push to increase access to justice and integrate more technology into court operations.
“It is a document that will guide how persons can gain access to the court remotely and how the court will conduct its proceedings. It’s really in simple English; easily understood. It’s on our websites and can be downloaded,” he explained.
The Remote Hearing Guidelines can be retrieved from any of our websites: courtofappeal.gov.jm, supremecourt.gov.jm, parishcourt.gov.jm and cad.gov.jm.
All remote hearings in open court or chambers in any Jamaican court are subject to these restrictions. They are instantly effective and will remain in effect until the Chief Justice amends or revokes them. The guidelines were produced in consultation with stakeholders; including the private Bar, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Department of Correctional Services, (DCS).
Chief Justice Sykes was speaking at a handing over ceremony for two mobile buses retrofitted with audio-visual technology to hear testimonies from witnesses remotely, Justice Skyes said the mobile units will be one way by which persons who are unable to get to court for whatever reason can have access to these buses and utilizing modern technology so that their testimonies can be brought to the court.
The mobile units, he noted, will also help to expedite issues by reducing the chance of cases being delayed due to witnesses who are unable to present in person in court. The buses, according to the Chief Justice, are an important step toward the Judiciary’s goal of creating a world-class judicial system.
