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Gun Court to Clear Backlog by June 2021

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Gun Court to Clear Backlog by June 2021 GUN COURT TO CLEAR BACKLOG BY JUNE 2021 The Gun Court is poised to become the first court in Jamaica to clear its case backlog by June 2021. A case is considered to be in a state of backlog, if it has been in the system for over two (2) years without being disposed. The latest Statistical Report shows the performance of the court means they could eliminate the backlog of cases by June 2021. Court Coordinator for the Gun Court Rohan Thompson has attributed this success to his hardworking team members. He further pointed out that the clearly articulated vision of the Judiciary (Front Row from left) Court Assistant Ms. Kimiesha McLean, Court as outlined in its Strategic Plan, “To Coordinator Rohan Thompson, Secretary Ms. Monique Thompson, Court Assistant Mr. Akieno Hibbert, Court Assistant Avrie Scudder, be the best in the Caribbean in (back row from left) Court Assistant Thishna Smith, Secretary Mrs. Ruth three years, and one of the best in Thomas, Case Progression Officer Mr. Fabian Williams, Court Assistant the world in six years”, was the Mr. Joel McCulskie and Chief Court Assistant Mr. Kevin Moore are foundation for the team’s strategy. members of the hardworking team at the Gun Court at the Supreme The Court Newsletter sat down Court in Kingston. with Mr. Thompson to ascertain Cont’d on page 2 Page 2 The Court Report GUN COURT TO CLEAR BACKLOG BY JUNE 2021 (CONT’D) how his visionary leadership and the sacrifices he and his team have made that has positioned them on this path. Court Newsletter: How long have you been working with the Gun Court? Rohan Thompson: I have been working with the Gun Court since 1996 and I was promoted to Court Coordinator for the Gun Court in 2017. Court Newsletter: What do your job duties entail as Court Coordinator for the Gun Court? Rohan Thompson: I ensure the smooth operation of the four Gun Courts (three trial court and one case management court). Court Newsletter: What are some of the matters that are heard at the Gun Court? Rohan Thompson: Firearm matters involving robbery, shooting, assault, rape and any other offences; however, murder cases involving a firearm are heard by the Circuit Court. Court Newsletter: What is the average time of disposition from date of charge in the Gun Court? Rohan Thompson: The average time of disposition is sixteen (16) months. This is very good and puts us ahead of the target set in the Strategic Plan, which is for cases coming into the courts to be disposed of within 24 months from the date of filing. Court Newsletter: What does this mean in relation to clearing the backlog? Rohan Thompson: Based on the performance of the court, the Gun Court will have cases that are two years old by the end of the year. In other words, no case filed before 2018 will exist in the Gun Court. This means that the backlog at the Gun Court will be cleared by June 2021. Court Newsletter: How were you able to significantly reduce the backlog? Rohan Thompson: I work seven days per week with my staff. The reason for this is because where the Gun Court used to be; it used to be in a situation where the results were not positive. On the weekends, we review the court list and contact the relevant persons to include members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, lawyers and probation officer. We would even speak with judges as well. We put everything in place for the next court date (trial, sentence or mention date) to ensure the smooth running of the proceedings because we do not want any hiccup. Court Newsletter: How do you win over the support of your staff? Rohan Thompson: The first thing is the approach. You have to have a friendly approach not a ‘backra massa’ approach where you have a big stick. You have to actually sit with them and find out the ins and outs, the little situations/problems and talk to them. You have to say I was once where you guys were and I understand everything you are going through. Once that playfield is leveled, they actually see you as one of them. Court Newsletter: How do you keep your staff motivated? Page 3 The Court Report GUN COURT TO CLEAR BACKLOG BY JUNE 2021 (CONT’D) Rohan Thompson: I reward them. The first staff of the January to March quarter was awarded $10,000. For the second quarter, I introduced prizes for second place ($7,500) and third place ($2,500); however, this initiative was interrupted by COVID-19. Court Newsletter: What else accounts for the stellar performance of the Gun Court? Rohan Thompson: The success is also due to the Judicial Case Management System (JCMS), which has assisted us with the timely scheduling of trial proceedings. This has significantly helped to reduce the backlog. The JCMS has indeed moved the Gun Court in a direction where it has never gone before. Court Newsletter: What impact has the vision statement had on your leadership? Rohan Thompson: It has impacted by leadership in a positive way. Since assuming leadership at the Gun Court, there has been a positive transformation in the attitudes of staff, the performance of the court and the quality of customer service. Court Newsletter: What was the operation of the Gun Court like before the introduction of the vision statement in 2018? Rohan Thompson: It was like business as usual. People would normally attend work and see it as a mean to an end. Since the introduction of the vision statement in 2018, the work environment has changed dramatically. First, I must commend the Chief Justice for allowing us to participate in seminars, workshops and other forms of training to increase our knowledge and improve our leadership skills. The Franklin Covey session was one of the first radical training that took place. As a result of that training, persons were able to work in a more goal-oriented manner. I have established charts. They contain the Widely Important Goals (W.I.G.) for the Gun Court. This has propelled me to get my staff more involved. Each member of staff is assigned to a WIG. I have also hosted monthly meetings. This is where we discussed WIGs and have our cadence of accountability in terms of following-up on the WIGs. We asked ourselves the following questions: Are we achieving? Are there any difficulties? We find solutions to problems team members may encountered with their assigned WIGs. Sometimes as leaders we assign a person to a particular area and the results are not seen. So what I do is to assess them and based on where their strengths lie, I will assign them to a particular tasks to maximize their true potential. That was never done before. Court Newsletter: What support do you get from the Chief Justice? Rohan Thompson: Chief Justice Bryan Sykes visits my office two or three times per week to ensure the smooth operation of the Gun Court. Court Newsletter: This a phenomenal achievement Mr. Thompson! Congrats to you and the team! Page 4 JUDICIARY REVIEWS STRATEGIC TARGETS IN THE WAKE OF COVID-19 The Judiciary of Jamaica has conducted a review of its Strategic Plan in light of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that it remains on track to achieving its vision statement of being the best in the Caribbean in three (3) years and one of the best in the world in six (6) years. Chief Justice, the Honourable Mr. Justice Bryan Sykes OJ, CD, said the Annual Strategic Planning Retreat held in August was an apt time for the Judiciary to evaluate the team’s fundamental direction against the background of COVID- 19 to address any threats or to capitalize on any opportunities that the health crisis may present to the courts. He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has created an opportunity for the Judiciary to fast-track the use of technology in judicial proceedings. On the other hand, he noted that jury trials have been suspended because juror boxes do not allow for physical distancing. Despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Justice Sykes is confident that there will be light at the end of the tunnel. Chief Justice the Honourable Mr. Justice Bryan Sykes, OJ, CD at the Strategic Launch “We are having delays now but we are really managing the process in a way held at the Terra Nova All- that certainly towards the end of this year and beginning of next year, you Suite Hotel in St. Andrew should begin to see the result of the planning that we have been engaged in on January 31, 2020. since August of this year,” he said. Chief Justice said all levels of the three-tier Strategic Plan are constantly being assessed to identify any gaps and to implement practical solutions. “We have been reviewing and refining the strategic plan for the overall legal system in light of COVID-19. Then, we will be looking at the second level of Strategic Plan for the individual court. As a result, each Parish court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court will have its own strategic plan that is linked to the overall Plan,” Chief Justice Sykes said. Chief Justice Sykes said the coorperation of every member of staff is paramount in order for the Judiciary to remain on course to achieve the strategic objectives. Cont’d on page 5 Page 5 JUDICIARY REVIEWS STRATEGIC TARGETS IN THE WAKE OF COVID-19 (CONT’D) “As in everything, plans are not self-executing.
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