Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary in Guyana, Yonette Cummings -Edwards says a Children’s Court will be established in the country in the wake of the recent passage of the new Juvenile Offences Bill in the National Assembly.
Justice Cummings-Edwards said the Judiciary is proactive and has implemented measures in preparation for the court’s opening.
The new Juvenile Offences Bill is expected to be laid in the National Assembly shortly and according to the acting Chancellor, “We are not waiting until it is law, we have already started training of our magistrates.”
The two magistrates that will preside over the court have already been identified.
In 2017, four magistrates including the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, attended a study tour in another jurisdiction to observe the operations of their Children’s Court, to learn the best practices and the pitfalls to ensure that when Guyana’s system is efficient and adheres to international standards.
A Trinidad specialist in child abuse and sexual offences cases will be in Guyana, within the next month, to provide psycho-social training to magistrates and judges.
