Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has announced that it will be adding a sign language interpreter to it’s judgment delivery process. The sign language interpreter, however, is not exclusively limited to the judgement statements.
The changes will be implemented after a court judgement has been made in a case revolving around the New Building Society Ltd of Guyana and its former CEO, Maurice Arjoon.
In a statement made recently the CCJ said it’s mission is to provide fair, accessible, and efficient justice to the states and people of the Caribbean Community, they go on to say, that access to justice is a fundamental principle of the rule of law. In the context of people with disabilities, access to justice requires that judiciaries, inclusive of judicial officers and court staff, take all the necessary steps to provide a fair, transparent, inclusive, effective, non-discriminatory, and accountable service for both court users and employees.
The CCJ concluded it’s statement by saying the initiative is one step toward a broader path and commitment to the court’s continued efforts to enhance its accessibility and inclusivity.
“The CCJ remains determined to foster an accessible and inclusive court and workplace.”
The CCJ also shared a live stream link for the judgment and initiative in action for the first time via their Twitter account.
While it is assumed that the CCJ is currently running the system through a trial and evaluation period, it still remains uncertain whether or not public feedback will be sought for this historic move. Regardless, this initiative is likely to pave the way toward a new precedent for court operations all around the world.
The Trinidad-based CCJ is considered the highest form of court for several Caribbean Community Countries.
SOURCE: Kofi Nelson (Wic News).
