Judiciary reform plans ‘approved in principle’

Ministers have approved a proposed overhaul of the justice administration system, with the creation of a new Department of the Judiciary and Court Services Council to centralise court administration — an endeavour the Chief Justice of Barbados has described as “the most important project undertaken by the judiciary post-Independence”.

As the 2026–2027 legal year began on Monday, Chief Justice Leslie Haynes said ministers approved the creation of both bodies in principle in January, with the proposed reform intended to give the judiciary greater control over the administration of the courts.

He explained that, for decades, the functioning of the judiciary had relied on the Supreme Court Registry as its administrative arm, while common law court systems internationally had recognised the need to review court administration.