Magistrates in Swaziland receive judicial training

Training workshops facilitated by the Commonwealth Secretariat and aimed at increasing efficiency in Swaziland’s judiciary were conducted from July to September 2007.

Magistrates and registrars from Swaziland underwent the three-month course to learn more about court procedures, criminal law, civil law and the efficient delivery of justice.

Raymond Nelson, an ex-registrar, magistrate and judicial trainer from South Africa who conducted the training said, “The training was extremely useful and helped reinforce and increase Swaziland’s magistrates’ and registrars’ knowledge of criminal and civil law.”

Betty Mould-Iddrisu, Director, Legal & Constitutional Affairs Division at the Secretariat, said the main aim of the training was to increase the judicial capacity of the magistrates so that they can hear cases which are currently heard within the jurisdiction of the High Court.

“This will in turn assist the High Court, which is currently battling with a heavy backlog of cases, and enable it to reduce delays in the hearing of cases in that court,” she added.
 
Kevin Maguire, Legal Adviser, Justice Section at the Secretariat, said, “It will also relieve the current registrar of the sole responsibility of hearing all these matters (taxation of costs) and release her to focus on her important role in organising the administration of the courts.

“Organisational restructuring is a key to reducing backlogs of cases in the courts. Increasing the powers of magistrates to determine matters that would otherwise have to be heard in the higher courts is an important part of that organisational restructuring.

“It is therefore necessary to ensure that the magistrates have the knowledge and skills to hear these more serious cases and training will play a key role in that.”

The Commonwealth Secretariat has also provided assistance to Swaziland in training the High Court registrar in court administration as well as support to develop a court handbook for staff.

Key Links:

• Country Profile: Swaziland
• Law