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The long awaited Municipal Court system to deal with parochial matters, will be introduced across the island soon.

According to Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, the move to establish municipal courts, although being part of the Local Government process, is being done under a wider Justice Reform Programme, to establish specialised courts.

“The Ministry has been in dialogue with the Chief Justice in terms of a proposal for Resident Magistrates’ Courts to set aside one day each month, to deal exclusively with municipal matters,” he informed.

Addressing a specially convened meeting of the Hanover Parish Council, on February 16, Mr. Arscott explained that the arrangement is an interim one, which would have to be instituted by the Chief Justice.

Mr. Arscott pointed out that the Portmore Municipal Council and the St. Ann Parish Council have already implemented Municipal Courts, and he is hoping that the process will be fast tracked to cover the entire island.

The establishment of Municipal Courts across the island would reduce the pressure on the Resident Magistrates’ Court system, and would also be a source of revenue for the parish councils.

Several issues about the Local Government reform process, and other matters of concern to the Councillors and members of staff were discussed.