VIGOROUS RECRUITMENT OF MAGISTRATES SOON: SIR PALMER

Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer says there will be a vigorous recruitment drive for new Magistrates to fill in long outstanding vacancies within the Magistracy in the next few weeks.

Speaking during the swearing in ceremony of the country’s new Chief Magistrate, Chief Justice Palmer says the vacancies include the Deputy Chief Magistrate’s post to Principal Magistrates, Magistrates First Class and Magistrates Second Class.

He says the Magistracy has been plagued with manpower problems for the last five years or so, which has greatly impeded progress on the performance of the Courts nation-wide.

He says they were unable to attract suitable lawyers to fill the vacant Magistracy posts because of the poor scheme of service.

But he says with the new scheme of service for Magistrates as constitutional post holders, more suitable candidates will be attracted to fill in the vacant posts.

He commended Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo and his Government for implementing the changes.