Guyana: High Court’s Criminal Case Backlog Reduced Significantly

The backlog of criminal cases in the High Court of Guyana has been significantly reduced, as reported by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Hack. This development was announced during the opening of a joint training course for the Police Force and DPP, which is part of the Partnership of the Caribbean and European Union (PACE) Justice Project.

According to Ms. Hack, the support from the United Nations Development Programme-European Union backed project has contributed to a two-thirds reduction in the criminal case load in the High Court. She noted that between 2020 and 2024, approximately 300 cases were listed for the criminal assizes, but this number has decreased to just over 100 in 2025, marking a significant improvement.

Ms. Hack emphasized the DPP Chambers’ commitment to preventing future backlogs, stating, “That’s my approach with maintaining a standard, a safe course, so that persons will have timely trials.” She highlighted that a murder trial is set to begin next week for an offense allegedly committed two years ago, and individuals accused of offenses last year have already faced trial.

Furthermore, Ms. Hack expressed optimism that the new paper committal system would enable her office to address both the backlog and current cases simultaneously. She indicated that this system could also help reduce the prison population in Guyana, alongside the construction of new prison facilities that aim to provide more humane conditions for inmates awaiting trial.

Dhiraj Singh, Officer in Charge of UNDP Guyana, stated that the PACE Justice Project is designed to reduce backlogs and enhance access to justice. He noted that the European Union has invested approximately €9.75 million (equivalent to US$11.4 million) to improve criminal justice administration in eight Caribbean countries, including Guyana.

Mr. Singh added that the Guyana Police Force has benefited from various capacity-building initiatives and new Information Technology equipment. Senior members of the police force have participated in regional training in Barbados, and two officers recently visited Spain and Italy to learn advanced investigation techniques.

These capacity-building opportunities are expected to enhance the investigative capabilities of the Guyana Police Force, enabling them to improve their competencies and share knowledge with other officers.

Source: demerarawaves.com

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