D.C.C’s JUDICIARY REFORM PROGRESSING WELL

The work programme of the Democratic Coalition for Change Government (DCCG) to reform the judiciary is progressing well, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Policy Secretary for Fundamental Reforms, Mr Warren Paia said the reforms in the law and justice sector would include the improvement of the terms and conditions of employment for judges, the granting of autonomy to the judiciary and the introduction of the Mediation and Arbitration conflict resolution methods.

Mr. Paia said, on the improvement of the terms and conditions of employment for judges, Cabinet has recently approved new regulations to the Constitutional Office’s to replace the existing ones.

The new regulations have finally been approved following a request from the Chief Justice for the review of the terms and conditions of employment for puisne judges, as well as for those of the Deputy Chief Justice and the Chief Justice.

He said, for quite a while the terms and conditions of employment of judges have not been addressed properly.

The Democratic Coalition for Change Government has therefore considered it important and proper that the matter be immediately attended to so as to attract and retain valuable judges to the Bench.

Mr Paia told the Prime Minister’s Press Secretariat Office, once the Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs signs the documents and thereafter gazettes them, work on the implementation of the regulations will commence.