MAYOR OF KINGSTON’S REMARKS FOR JUDICIARY DAY2025

THEME: “Preserving Justice, Honouring History, Embracing the Future”

Honorable Chief Justice, Bryan Sykes, other members of the Judiciary, specially invited guests, well-wishers and supporters of justice, law and order... I bring you greetings on behalf of the Kingston & St. Andrew Municipal Corporation family (KSAMC).

 

I would like to start with a quote from Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. "Law and order is a social service…Crime….and the breakdown of social responsibility… are not only a threat to individual lives, … but also to the fabric of society." 

 

Ladies and gentlemen the importance of the Judiciary in any modern democratic society cannot be overstated. It serves to uphold the rule of law, by protecting fundamental rights and freedoms,.. and resolve disputes by the effective administration of justice.

To function at its best, it is essential that the judiciary remains free of political and all other kinds of interference. Members of the judiciary must be allowed to apply the law without fear or favour in all circumstances.

 

It is a foregone conclusion that in the administration of justice, the judiciary will be subjected to scrutiny. However, this ought not to affect the manner in which the courts carry out its duties. Not only does the judicial system help to maintain social order, but its ability to resolve disputes, enhances public confidence in the legal system.

 

Jamaica has come a long way, and so has our judicial system. Our courts have seen vast improvements particularly where case backlog is concerned. Through sheer commitment and determination to the effective administration of justice. Covid-19 became the catalyst for virtual hearings, which I believe has been a blessing in disguise…imagine what would have happened if we were unable to hear matters during Covid-19. 

 

Both the introduction of case management in civil matters and the regional convening of the Supreme Court have contributed to the growth of our judicial system and improved the timely hearing of cases. Our judicial system has demonstrated resilience and inspired hope. While much has been done to improve the system overall, there is much more to be done.

 

Today the KSAMC acknowledges the vital role played by the Judiciary. We are excited to celebrate your successes and milestones. Most of all, we want to express our unwavering support to the judges, registrars, clerks and all supporting staff who help to create and maintain this robust legal system. Special mention must be made of the many men and women who serve as Justices of the Peace. They dedicate their time, energy and resources to assist communities at various levels.

As we celebrate the success of our legal system, I would like to invite members of the public to take the time to understand the services that the courts provide and how they can be accessed. I would also like to remind the public that the effective administration of justice is everybody’s business because justice for one means justice for all.

 

As individuals, we often criticize that which we do not understand. This is quite evident in the public perception of members of the judiciary, leading to the negative attitudes displayed by some members of the public. As we welcome the reintroduction of civics in schools, I believe that this will result in students acquiring a better understanding of the legal system. This will enable them to share the knowledge with the wider public. Likewise, I believe social media platforms can be used as a means of educating the public by sharing credible information.

 

Increasing communication and collaboration with organizations outside the judiciary will help to improve the public’s understanding of the roles and functions of the judiciary. Public education programs can also go a long way in ensuring that there is greater appreciation of the system.

In closing, I would like to use the words of Martin Luther King Jr,  “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” . Let us all work together to protect the integrity of our judicial system, preserve public trust and enhance understanding of the judiciary.

 

We all need to take a proactive approach to maintaining law and order in our society, and must accept our responsibility both individually and collectively to support the administration of justice. Today the KSAMC stands ready to partner with the judiciary to enhance the effective administration of justice… for all Jamaicans.

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