If you were out on Regent Street in Belize City last week, you would have seen police or members of the judiciary out rehearsing an event. They were actually pre-recording the Annual, Ceremonial Opening of the Supreme Court. Normally, the press would have been allowed to cover it live, but since Omicron is speeding at an alarming rate, the court decided to work with the Government Press Office and Apex Justice to produce a virtual ceremony.
It was broadcast this morning, and our Daniel Ortiz put together this report on a few of the highlights:
For the 2nd Virtual Opening of the Supreme Court, the judiciary followed the tradition while sprinkling in a bit of novelty here and there in the ceremony.
There was the Ecumenical Service, which paid respect to the many religious and cultural influences in Belize.
The public march, which was carried out mostly by the Guard of Honor, and then the inspection by the Acting Chief Justice.
For the public accounting and the sharing views though, the Judiciary invited comments from multiple new sources.
Fred Lumor - Attorney, Inner Bar
"In case you are amused what Fred Lumor is doing here, please don't be lost to your thoughts, is appearing before the court as counsel and a voluntary subpoena issued by one of the kind lady justices presiding today."
Hon. Patricia Arana - Deputy Registrar, Supreme Court
"We made accommodations to staff to get vaccinated and we are proud to say that 100% of our staff has been vaccinated."
Hon. Melissa Rowley - Deputy Registrar, Court of Appeal
"Even in the midst of a public health crisis, the court of appeal was able to hold 2 successful virtual hearings; one in October in 2020 and the other in October 2021 when it adapted to the virtual environment a course which shall continue until further notice."
Alder Wright - Attorney, Utter Bar
"In this era of social distancing and caution, the court and the legal fraternity have had to grapple with and rethink old modes and modality of engaging, undertaking and delivering legal work."
The Chief Justice's remarks were one of the keynotes, and of course, focused mostly on public accounting. The Acting Chief, Justice Michelle Arana, noted that the Government's attempts to reduce public spending challenged the court to figure out how to dispense justice with fewer resources.
Hon. Michelle Arana - Acting Chief Justice
"The judiciary depends upon the executive to provide its funding. The budgetary allocation for the judiciary for the fiscal year 2021-2022 was 7 million, 981 thousand, 654 Belize dollars reduced from the previous year's budgetary allocation a mere 0.00824% of the entire national budget. This is woefully inadequate. While the judiciary is fully cognizant of the need for cost cutting measures, especially in this era of the covid19 pandemic, it is imperative that this arm of government be funded in a manner that enables us and empowers us to carry out our duties in an effective manner. An over burden, under resource and underfunded judiciary is not conducive to the effective and efficient administration of justice."
The hardship of the COVID pandemic was just as challenging for the judiciary as it was for the rest of the Belizean workers. By its nature, a court is a public place that provides citizens with service, and so, daily exposure to the potentially deadly illness was very high.
Dale Cayetano - Director, Family Court
"These measures pose different challenges as litigants and lawyers are forced to sit apart from one another in an already small cramped court room. The back logs continue to mount resulting in significant case delay, particularly in child protection and custody cases where social officers are required to conduct home visits to complete social inquiry reports."
Hon. Patricia Arana
"That personal touch could no longer be there, but the quality of service had to remain."
So, the court had to adapt by implementing efficiency tactics to limit exposure and keep staff members safe. Also, the court seems to have moved from a mindset that, in its pre-COVID culture, very strict rules would prevent journalists from using cell phones and laptop computers for simple note-taking purposes. All branches of the judiciary have now embraced the use of information technology in the majority of their daily functions.
Hon. Michelle Arana
"APEX has revolutionize our court system while vastly minimizing in person contact."
Dale Cayetano
"The family court adapted rapidly to telephone and video hearing through teams in respond to the pandemic. This help to speed up cases progression and tackle the back log of cases."
Hon. Sharon Frazer - Chief Magistrate
"We also made provisions to allow persons who were charged with trafficking and covid19 related matters to plea guilty by post and then check back with the court on a later date and as it relates to their fines."
Hon. Patricia Arana
"We have rewired our premisses to improve our internet access and to accommodate for virtual courtrooms and we are in the process of expanding the facilities at the Kolbe Foundation to accommodate multiple virtual hearings simultaneously."
The President of the Bar is urging the court to keep some of the progressive, COVID-driven efficiencies in place, even after the pandemic stops being a public health threat.
Iliana Swift - President, Bar Association
"A few years ago court of appeal sessions were held only 3 times annually, 9 weeks out of the year. As we awaited the arrival of judges for in person hearings. These limited court sessions contributed to serious delay in hearings of appeals, for appellants would wait years until their appeals are heard. With the implementation of virtual hearings, the limited court of appeal sessions must be left in 2021."
The Government also announced that it is making moves to give the judiciary more space to work with, and eventually a new headquarters. It's easily apparent that they've outgrown the cramped space available in the iconic - but old - buildings that they're currently housed in.
Hon. Magali Marin-Young - Attorney General
"In the long term, the government fully intends to commence the construction of the judicial complex to provide adequate spatial area for the entire court system to operate with larger court rooms all having state of the art technology. This madam acting chief justice we hope to commence as soon as the economy fully rebounds and we have securely overcome the fiscal crisis."
The court is now open for business, but as you heard, there is strict enforcement of COVID protocols. Visitors are required to show their vaccination cards to the alert security before they can enter.
