JSC seeks new magistrates to ease case backlog

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is seeking to recruit 160 new magistrates to ease the backlog of cases in lower courts.

In an advertisement placed in local dailies Thursday, the Commission asked those interested in the jobs to apply by November 3.

Besides the jobs of magistrates, the judiciary is also looking for 119 legal researchers to be seconded to the offices of the Chief Justice, the Deputy CJ, the five other supreme court judges, the Chief Registrar of the judiciary and the judges of the Court of Appeal and the High Court.

The move, coming only a week after the JSC advertised the jobs of seven high court judges illustrates the judiciary’s desire to address the backlog of cases in Kenyan courts and speed up the delivery of justice.

Backlog of cases

Speaking during one of his first public functions after assuming office, Chief Justice Willy Mutunga promised to prioritise the hiring of new judges and magistrates to ease the backlog of cases in Kenyan courts which alongside corruption has been long considered as the biggest impediment to the delivery of justice in the country.

“.......we will be recruiting more judges, magistrates, volunteer advocates and Commissioners of Assize to reduce the amount of work currently being handled in courts,” Dr Mutunga promised after attending a thanksgiving service at the PCEA Kinoo parish days after assuming office.

The backlog cannot be handled unless sufficient staffing is done."

His deputy, Nancy Baraza who accompanied him lamented that the backlog of cases had resulted in Kenyans waiting for judgment for close to 20 years.

She cited a survey conducted by her department which had revealed that a huge number of cases have not been solved for years.

“People have been languishing in jail and in remand awaiting judgment for 15 to 20 years. We undertook that survey and we will have to come up with strategies to solve that,” Ms Baraza said.

She said that her visits to a number of courts and prisons in the country revealed major challenges that required immediate attention.

“I have been carrying out a needs assessment and what we have in Kenya are major challenges such as lack of personnel, infrastructure and the need to rebuild the morale of the Judiciary,” she said.

Adverse report

And Thursday, the JSC asked the new magistrates to be ready to be posted to any part of the country where they will preside over resident magistrate’s courts.

Their duties will include performing the roles of deputy registrars and overseeing the operations of the courts and the management of staff under their charge.

They will also be expected to carry out a wide range of administrative functions and any other duties assigned to them by the Commission.

Those interested must hold a degree in law and a diploma from the Kenya school of Law, must have been admitted to the roll of advocates and must not have any pending complaints with the Advocates Complaints Commission, the Disciplinary Committee or any adverse report from their previous employer.

They must also meet the requirement of chapter six of the Constitution on integrity.

While the magistrates will be hired on permanent terms, the legal researchers will serve on three-year contracts.