The stipend for jurors who serve the nation’s court may increase as a proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Justice.
The Director of Court Administration Division (CAD), Tricia Cameron Anglin, stated that the CAD recognises that the current stipend is very low therefore a recommendation has been sent to the Ministry of Justice.
“I can report that the Minister of Justice (Hon. Delroy Chuck) and the National Council of Justice have been looking carefully at the stipend provided for jurors and, very soon, we will hear in Parliament a decision taken on an increase in the jury stipend,” she said.
Jurors, who are ordinary citizens, play a key role in the justice system by determining the guilt or innocence of persons accused of an offence based on the facts of the case presented in court.
With Jurors being randomly picked for duty, it’s understood that some face financial constraints in travelling to and from court especially those from rural communities. In that regard, the CAD Director underscored that the Division has had to assist a number of jurors in getting to court and also to get them back home.
Therefore, the recommendation to increase the stipend is an important step being taken by the CAD to address the shortage of jurors.
In the meantime, the CAD Director stated that the Division has expanded their list of jurors in order to get more persons to serve the courts. She emphasized that the CAD is also actively working with Stakeholders to assist in locating jurors and to get them ready for court duties.
