New Court Mediation Pilot Launched to Ease Criminal Case Backlog

The Judicial Education Institute of the Senior Courts of Belize launched a pilot project today to enhance court-ordered criminal mediation. The project is aimed at clearing the backlog of cases in the criminal justice system by referring matters that fit the criteria to mediation instead of them going to trial. The two-month pilot project saw the launch of the Victim Offender Mediation Toolkit, a resource to help guide mediators when carrying out their duties. The toolkit contains pre- and post-mediation questionnaires, which will be used to gather mediation data and generate reports to help guide future interventions. Justice Candace Nanton says that the timing is right for the launch because Belize has trained mediators and legislative framework.

While the initiative is aimed keeping cases out of court, Nanton noted that there are a list of matters that do not qualify for mediation. 

Rooms are being designated at the courthouse in Belize City to conduct mediations. In districts where the buildings cannot accommodate, other facilities are being sought.