THE
LEGAL INSTITUTIONS COMPONENT
The
Legal Institutions Component, which is working in partnership with the
Ministry of Justice, Judiciary, the Bar, court administration, Jamaican
Bar Association, the Dispute Resolution Foundation (DRF), mediators and
other entities to
improve
the ability
of Jamaicans
to effectively resolve disputes through the judicial system in a more
timely, less costly and more accessible manner.
The SCLR project is building on initiatives already begun by its Jamaican partners, in particular the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court and DRF, and working with them to:
Develop and implement a new court-connected
early mediation Programme to improve the Supreme Court's capacity to resolve
civil disputes;
Assist the courts to ensure that cases are resolved more expeditiously,
through the design and implementation of caseflow management systems;
Improve understanding of the value of using Alternative Dispute Resolution
and caseflow management principles and techniques in all court processes,
through extensive training, education and awareness programmes for the
judiciary, the Bar, court administration, mediators and the general public;
Work with the court and the Bar to reduce the backlog of cases;
Improve the caseflow information available to all parties involved in
court mediation and caseflow management processes by supporting parallel
efforts to develop improved automated court information systems;
Improve the capacity of the Supreme Court Library to provide information
on methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution, caseflow management and
court decisions;
Improve administrative processes in the Family Court and, in particular,
the processes for ensuring the appropriate administration of the court
orders for family support.
COMMUNITY
OUTREACH
The Community Component which focuses on empowering the two pilot communities through the key stakeholders DRF and Peace And Love in Schools (PALS), who will work with these communities to establish conflict resolution programmes and initiatives and assist the residents to improve their conflict management skills.
In partnership with DRF and PALS, the Project
will:
Train
members of the pilot communities as mediators;
Train
teachers, parents and students in basic, primary and secondary schools
in conflict resolutions strategies.
Establish
Peace and Justice Centres in Trench Town and Flankers to offer mediation
and provide a forum for the peaceful resolution of disputes;
Collaborate
with the Ministry of Education and Culture and teachers' colleges to develop
and deliver a curriculum in conflict resolution
As a CIDA funded project, gender related issues including discrimination
against women, as well as the rights of the child will be considered in
all related activities.
Additionally, through public education
project will inform the various stakeholders as well as the general public
about non-violent approaches to conflict management.