Chief Justice Bryan Sykes on Tuesday called for greater efficiency from key players within Jamaica’s justice system, pointing out that undue delays in cases before the court are a violation of individual’s constitutional rights.

“To our partners, those upon whom we rely to get documents in, particularly the forensic services, it is still taking too long to get the material in to the courts. And those responsible for the analysis of biological samples, particularly DNA, must recognise that when you have unnecessary delay in the hearing and disposition of a criminal matter — or even a civil matter — it is actually a violation of the person’s constitutional rights,” he said.

“When you have a delay in completing the record it affects the defendant in a very significant way. Sometimes they are unable to take up employment opportunities because the condition of bail may very well be you have to live outside of the parish or live in another community. And if that goes on for too long it in effect deprives that person of the opportunity to earn steadily,” the chief justice stressed.