Governor Calls for Faster, More Accessible Justice as Judiciary Launches Strategic Plan

Governor Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam has called for faster court proceedings, greater accountability and improved public confidence, stressing that the true measure of judicial reform must be the experience of those who depend on the justice system.

Daniel-Selvaratnam…"Public confidence in justice is not created by what institutions say about themselves, it is earned through what citizens experience of them."

The Governor made the remarks on Friday, October 30, 2026, during the launch of the Turks and Caicos Islands Judiciary Strategic Plan and Judiciary Customer Service Charter at the Supreme Court Annex on Providenciales.

The event brought together senior judicial officials, legal professionals and government representatives, including the Chief Justice of Jamaica, Brian Sykes, who participated virtually.

Describing the launch as an important milestone, Governor Daniel-Selvaratnam said the five-year plan demonstrates the judiciary's commitment to institutional reform and measurable improvements.

"The strength of an independent institution lies not simply in its protection from interference but in its confidence to examine itself, evolve and lead its own reform," she said.

The Governor emphasised that judicial independence and accountability are complementary principles essential to maintaining public trust.

"Independence protects the ability to administer justice without interference. Accountability demonstrates the confidence to ask with equal independence how justice can continue to be administered better," she stated.

Reflecting on the territory's 50th anniversary of ministerial government, she said democracy requires more than elections. Citizens must also have confidence that their rights are protected, disputes resolved fairly and justice administered without fear or favour.

The Governor acknowledged improvements in access to justice through legal aid, duty counsel, mediation and alternative dispute resolution, alongside advancements in digital systems and court procedures.

The new strategic plan outlines five outcomes aimed at establishing a judiciary that is resilient, accessible and user-centred, digitally enabled and data-driven, trusted by the public, and accountable and well-governed.

It also includes ambitions for a permanent judicial complex to improve security, accessibility and institutional resilience.

However, the Governor cautioned that infrastructure and technology alone cannot guarantee meaningful improvements.

"The deeper transformation lies in how institutions work, how effectively technology is used, how evidence informs decisions, how unnecessary delay is challenged and how consistently the experience of the court user shapes the delivery of justice," she said.

Court Delays Have Human Consequences

A central focus of the Governor's address was the impact of judicial delays on individuals, families and businesses.

She stressed that delays should not be viewed simply as administrative challenges because they directly affect people's lives.

"For the accused awaiting determination, the victim awaiting closure, the family awaiting resolution, the business awaiting certainty or the citizen challenging the exercise of public power, delay is not experienced as a performance indicator, it is experienced personally," she declared.

"Efficiency is therefore not simply about productivity, it is part of the quality of justice itself."

The Governor said improvements must be reflected in timely case progression, respectful treatment of court users, better communication and fewer barriers to accessing justice.

She emphasised that these expectations are not criticisms but questions that institutions committed to improvement must ask themselves.

Partnership Critical to Judicial Reform

Governor Daniel-Selvaratnam also highlighted the importance of cooperation between the judiciary, government and other justice-sector agencies.

She acknowledged existing constraints and said continued investment in infrastructure, technology and institutional capacity would be necessary.

However, she stressed that investments must deliver measurable improvements rather than simply increase available resources.

"Better infrastructure should enable greater resilience, better technology should enable greater efficiency, better data should enable stronger accountability and greater capability should mean better justice," she said.

"Investment creates opportunity, institutional leadership turns that opportunity into change."

She identified the police, prosecution, prison service, rehabilitation services, legal profession, government and civil society as essential partners in delivering timely and accessible justice.

Public Confidence the Ultimate Test

Looking towards 2030, the Governor challenged the judiciary to measure success by improvements experienced by ordinary citizens, rather than simply whether planned projects have been completed.

"Does justice feel different? Is the system easier to navigate? Are cases resolved with greater timeliness? Do those who come before our courts feel their time and dignity matter?" she asked.

She stressed that public confidence must be earned through consistent service delivery and fair treatment.

"Public confidence in justice is not created by what institutions say about themselves, it is earned through what citizens experience of them," she said.

Commending the Chief Justice and judiciary for developing the strategic plan and customer service charter, the Governor reaffirmed the importance of collective responsibility.

"The opportunity before us is to turn partnership, investment and ambition into outcomes that people can see, feel and trust," she concluded.