Big budget cut for Judiciary

The estimates for 2016 were $419,968,400, while the revised estimates were $404,401,940.

However, the 2017 estimates are now $357,638,600.

Cutbacks were made to entertainment, overseas travel, minor equipment purchases, current transfers and subsidies and salaries and cost of living allowances.

The sum for Goods and Services fell from $22,913,000 in the revised estimates of 2016 to $189,971,000 in 2017, a decrease of close to $32 million.

The allocation to the Judicial Educational Institute also decreased by $2.5 million. Its 2017 estimates are $3 million.

Official Overseas Travel has been reduced to $500,000 for 2017 from $1 million in the revised estimates of 2016.

At the opening of the new law term last month, Chief Justice Ivor Archie commented on criticisms of his travels, saying he would not be stopped.

During his address, Archie said one of his roles as Chief Justice was to develop and maintain strategic relationships nationally, regionally and internationally.

On the plan to give the Judiciary financial independence, he said this must be gradual and some delegation of duties had begun.

However, he envisioned total independence by 2018.