A High Court judge has warned that persistent delays in non-capital cases, caused by defence attorneys being tied up in murder trials, are undermining timely access to justice for both accused persons and complainants.

Justice Anthony Blackman said: “While other matters are given priority, I am of the view that justice be extended to all concerned. When you are going to take certain matters out of the courts’ hand for other matters to be tried – and this is where we are – a decision must be made by someone. We cannot keep this situation going for much longer. If we are going to try all the murders, well try all the murders, but what is going to happen to those persons who come before the court looking for justice? What is going to happen to those people?”

He made the comments after Principal State Counsel Joyann Catwell spoke on the delays in getting a 2011 burglary matter to trial.