Submission 121

Sent: Wednesday, November 9, 2022
To: ConstitutionalReform
Subject: A SUGGESTED INPUT FOR THE CONSTIITUNAL REFORM COMMISSION

Dear Sir/Madam

The following is offered for your consideration:

ROLE OF JUSTCIE OF THE PEACE(JP)

The appointment of Justices of the Peace (JPs) The availability of an up-to-date register of JPs (all deceased names to be removed)
Provision of a Roll Number and official stamp with the Barbados Court of Arms and Trident embossed (this gives authenticity to the appointment) as currently, anyone can have a rubber stamp made without any official endorsement or checks other than the scroll presented on appointment.

The Roll Number and register would be ideal.

The absence of an association, fraternity or legally constituted body to oversee and regulate the functions of JPs. The criteria for such appointments as JPs. The minimum age for appointment. How are persons appointed – move away from “political patronage” (because a chap is capable of stapling a political candidate’s poster to a lamp post, this shouldn’t make him eligible for the recommendation to be a JP)

Minimum levels of education - all JPs should be competent and literate and not appointed solely as a gift from respective MPs as appears to be a regular occurrence. Is it necessary on an island of 280,000 people to have 1000+ JPs. Initial training, induction and periodic continuous training and updates on the laws, amendments etc.

The absence of clearly defined duties (the current handbook is woefully outdated) Consideration should be given to widening the functions of JPs other than signing of the listed menu of documents. Consideration, after appropriate training where needed, to have JPs conduct “Bench hearings” as “Lay-Magistrates do in UK, thus reducing the backlog of petit cases, e.g., riding a bicycle without the triangular rear registration plate, stealing a dozen limes from a neighbour’ s yard, minor motor vehicle offences, like speeding, and the like. Consider the time and expense involved in having such petit cases dealt with by a Magistrate Court.

There’s a lot more that the JPs can do as responsible members of our society.