On June 23, 2021, the Judiciary of Barbados and the National Center for State Courts, implementer of the Caribbean Anti-Crime Program, partnered to launch the Court Case Management System (CCMS) Project. The goal of CCMS is to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of judges and court staff, improve the management of cases to ensure timely disposition, establish reporting of data and case statistics and the monitoring and scheduling cases in real time. Barbados is the third Caribbean country to adopt the INL supported CCMS, joining Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana in implementing a cost-effective and sustainable electronic system to improve court operations. The launch was attended, in-person, by U.S. Ambassador to the Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Linda S. Taglialatela, Chief Justice Patterson Cheltenham and, virtually, by the Honorable Chief Justice of Trinidad & Tobago and Honorable Chancellor (Head of the Judiciary) of Guyana. As part of the Consortium, these countries have agreed to advance CCMS and share information. The design of the CCMS allows for the introduction of expanded capability and future technological innovations such as E-filing and automated payment systems to collect fees and fines, enhancing transparency and accountability while reducing opportunities for fraud or corruption. CCMS will be piloted in three Magistrates Courts in Barbados transitioning from paper-based to an electronic case management system. It is expected to significantly improve the administration of justice and reduce case backlogs in these lower courts where most criminal matters are adjudicated in the Caribbean.
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