Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC on Tuesday advocated for blended delivery of justice in a post-COVID-19 era.
The pandemic resulted in the justice system implementing virtual courtrooms and electronic filing of court documents and Nandlall believes that this is an integral part to the delivery of justice.
He, however, acknowledged that it is equally important to stand in a courtroom and argue cases.
The Attorney General, who spoke at the opening session of the Demerara Criminal Assizes, also lauded the justice system for serving citizens with distinction during this period.
He revealed that some of the most important judicial pronouncements in decades were heard during this period and alluded to the Marcus Bisram and the 20202 election cases.
The relationship and communication between the bench and bar were also greatly improved during the pandemic, the Attorney General said.
“We saved a lot of time, we hear a lot about the cost of judicial time, during this period, by the use of these innovations, we were able to save a lot of judicial time and we were able to hear our cases sometimes by being on the road in traffic,” Nandlall explained.
The Attorney General said that virtual hearings should continue as it reduces the time taken to transport prisoners to and from courtrooms.
He called for collaboration and cooperation to forge a path so that the justice system can enjoy the benefits of innovation and systems that were there all along.
“Further and quite revolutionary in Guyana’s context, the registry started to allow litigants to file documents electronically,” Nandlall said.
Additionally, officers of the court were given the flexibility to determine how hearings took place. Requests for adjournment are now being made electronically by email or via a telephone call.
“I take this opportunity to congratulate the judiciary and all its staff for carrying that role and allowing us to advance the rule of law in this new normal,” the Attorney General noted.
