KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government is contemplating live streaming select criminal and civil court cases to the public, in what it says is a bid to make the judicial system more transparent, while enhancing its accountability, the Jamaica Observer reported on Sunday, May 6.
Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, who made the disclosure at last Friday’s opening of the Port Maria Justice Centre in St Mary, informed that discussions are underway with Chief Justice, Bryan Sykes; Acting Court of Appeal President, Dennis Morrison, and several parish judges islandwide in furtherance of this consideration.
“This (accountability) must exist in the courts (so) that they function efficiently and that people can see how justice is being delivered,” the minister said.
Chuck added that the live streaming will enable more persons to see what obtains in trial proceedings in the matters for which this facility would be used, as against to persons being in courtrooms which, he argued, offers limited access.
The minister said persons could log onto the designated website to gain access to the proceedings, noting that a similar arrangement “(is already) taking place at the (United Kingdom) Privy Council (level) and in other courts across the world”.
