B.V.I. Tuesday, February 17 – Two top managers are representing Government at the Integration of the Magistracy Conference which begins today in Dominica.

Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s Office Ms. Julia Christopher and Director of the Human Resources Department Mr. David Archer are attending the 17-18th February conference. 

Conference delegates are discussing the human resource implications for the integration of the magistracy in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Delegates will also develop a work plan and protocol guidelines for its implementation.

The move to integrate the OECS magistracy is based on a consultancy report by Mr. Dennis Darby in conjunction with Ms. Hyacinth Lindsay. The OECS Authority subsequently authorised Chief Justice Honourable Hugh Anthony Rawlins to begin work towards the full administrative merger of the magistracy with the higher judiciary. 

The Darby Report focuses on legal matters; transition; human resources management; work flow; court facilities and finance and information technology. 

The human resources management section of the report deals with strengthening the Administration Department of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) Headquarters in St. Lucia; preparing a code of ethics for the District Court Judges; providing opportunities for the advancement of District Court Judges; training of bailiffs and registrars; using police prosecutors; improving efficiency of court bailiffs; and developing a protocol or minimum standard for retirement benefits for magistrates.

Ms. Christopher and Attorney General Honourable Kathleen Quartey attended a policy retreat for Attorneys General, Ministers of Justice and Permanent Secretaries in Antigua from November 27-28, 2008.

The goals were to develop an implementation schedule, which will guide the operation of the ECSC, leading to the full integration process; examine national country agendas and the possibility of the passage of the bill to give effect to the integration; examine and propose solutions to all personnel matters relating to the transfer, including the Magistrate Court Staff; and detail a public education and preparation plan.

The ECSC aims to deliver justice independently by competent officers in a prompt, fair, efficient, and effective manner.