The country’s parish courts are officially backlog free. 

Chief Justice Bryan Sykes made the disclosure during this morning’s (September 18) swearing-in ceremony for judges and masters-in-chambers. 

Chief Justice Sykes noted that this achievement comes two years ahead of schedule, an attainment he said, that should be viewed with great pride. 

He explained that the active case load for the parish courts is below 3%, which is better than international requirements.  

He explained further that with most cases being cleared up within 12 months, a revision of the time standard will be done to reduce it to nine months. 

Justice Sykes said by moving the time standard to nine months, Jamaica will be even closer to the standards of countries associated with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). 

The OECD is an intergovernmental organization with 38 member countries, founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade.

Justice Sykes pointed out that within these countries, the time standard in which cases are cleared is 6 months.