Justice panel to consider reform ideas

10 July 2014

A panel of States Members overseeing the Government’s review of access to justice in the Island will consider a number of reform proposals at a series of public hearings tomorrow (11 July 2014).

The hearings, which will take place in the States Building between 1pm and 4pm, will allow the panel to hear in greater detail from those who submitted reform proposals to the review. It was announced on 12 May this year that Islanders would have until 20 June to submit their comments to the review, the terms of reference for which can be found on the States website.

Access to Justice Review (Crime and justice) 

A number of comments were received and will be published this week. Some of those respondents who put forward suggestions for reform of the existing system of access to justice have been invited to put their views to the panel in an initial series of hearings that will be open to the media and the public. The hearings will take place in the Le Capelain Room of the States Building as follows:

• 1pm-1.45pm Jonathan Speck (President of the Law Society), Neville Benbow (CEO of the Law Society) and David Cadin (Batonnier) to discuss their options for change to the legal aid system.
• 1.45pm-2.30pm Tim Hanson and Barbara Corbett (Hanson Renouf), to discuss the idea of using the Citizens Advice Bureau as a gateway to legal aid, the possible establishment of a legal aid chambers, and ideas for improving the divorce law.
• 2.30pm-3.15pm Sue du Feu (Jersey Legal Information Board) and Malcom Ferey (Jersey Citizens Advice Bureau) to discuss the idea of conducting a legal needs survey based upon the ‘paths to justice’ approach.
• 3.15pm-4pm David Rothband (Riff Projects) to talk about his idea for a new tribunal or increased use of mediation to settle petty commercial debts.

Assistant Chief Minister and Chairman of the review panel, Senator Paul Routier, said “We received a number of written submissions following our invitation to the public to comment on the review. The Panel felt that it would be good to hear more from those respondents who proposed constructive ideas for change to the existing system by which Islanders are able to access justice.

“The Panel will consider the ideas put forward on Friday and would also be interested to hear from any other Islanders who may have positive suggestions on how access to justice could be improved.”

Members of the review panel are: Senator Paul Routier (Chair); Senator Lyndon Farnham; Connétable Juliette Gallichan; Deputy Montfort Tadier; Deputy John Young.