The backlog in the judiciary system is one of the key drivers that has influenced the Judicial and Legal Services Commission to recruit foreign judges to serve in Belize due to the lack of local applicants.
But, critics say that many of these judges do not possess a high level of experience to serve in their capacity. This has raised a few concerns given the number of foreign judges being hired to fill the gaps in the system. Critics ask if those posts couldn't have been filled by eligible Belizeans who it seems have no interest to apply. But why is this so? The president of the Bar Association, Andrew Marshalleck further discussed this on Uncut:
Andrew Marshalleck, President of the Bar Association
"We've historically had a problem in the judiciary with delays we've been plagued the last 20 years."
Jules Vasquez
"With delays of judgements?"
Andrew Marshalleck, President of the Bar Association
"Delays of judgments, delays in criminal trials excessing periods for demand."
Jules Vasquez
"Adjournments and infinito?"
Andrew Marshalleck
"Delays period. And there's been a lot of causes of it and people have different viewpoints as to what's the cause of it, but what the heart of the reform was, to start to emphasize the management of the system a little more. Put it up front to start to create performance targets and so ensure that these are done in a timely way as they are supposed to."
Jules Vasquez
"So then as a consequence of this you all have hired for example four new judges? foreign judges all foreign judges?"
Andrew Marshalleck
"Well we advertise for judges and we are going to advertise in August for four more the applications we receive are the applications that are considered and shortlisted, and unfortunately."
Jules Vasquez
"So local persons are not applying?"
Andrew Marshalleck
"We don't have very many local persons applying, a handful, and I was telling somebody this evening in terms of local males they are even more of an endangered species. We are not seeing local people being attracted to that kind of work."
Jules Vasquez
"There seems or the criticism is that there is a predilection a preference for foreign judges and many of these judges Mr Marshaleck don't and you're apart of the selection committee they don't have experience they're getting their experience here and they are doing at Belize for an optimum price, so the four new judges only one has experience im told."
Andrew Marshalleck
"No you have to draw a distinction between the judges that were provided by the commonwealth secretariat immediately after covid, because those were provided for us and their salaries were paid from abroad. It was extraordinary circumstances and their service has come really to save us because it was in a situation where we had very little people on the bench actually serving.We had had some resignations and some retirements and there was a personnel gap that absolutely had to be filled and they've given us this new way to embark on a proper recruitment drive for others, so their service has been invaluable to us regardless of the fact that they've been gaining experience in Belizean law while on the job."
Marshalleck says that vacancies for 4 more judges will be advertised in August.
