-by Nakasia Logan

The judicial system continues to promote Restorative Justice as an avenue for resolving disputes and addressing conflicts before they escalate to court.

This morning Attorney General Anil Nandlall re-emphasized its importance as he engaged Magistrates and Restorative Justice Officers.

Guyana’s Restorative Justice Programme is reporting an 85 percent case resolution rate, with plans to expand its services to additional courts in 2027.

Director of the Restorative Justice Programme, William Orin Boston, highlighted the progress during an engagement with magistrates and Restorative Justice Officers at the Sleep In Hotel.

The event, held under the theme “Fortifying a Restorative Culture Through Strengthening Systems and Relationships,” focused on strengthening mediation, reconciliation and early intervention in resolving disputes.

“By the end of 2026 I know we are in October we should have 11 centers in operation. We currently serve 34 of the 53 courts in Guyana,  by the end of 2026 we will put ourselves in a position to service 49 of the 53 courts in Guyana,” he said.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall underscored the importance of restorative justice in addressing the root causes of conflict and reducing the number of matters reaching the courts.

He also emphasised the critical role of magistrates and Restorative Justice Officers in building public confidence in the justice system through continuous training and effective implementation.

“We know that restorative justice presents a unique opportunity of brining the offender and victim together and to repair that human relationship that would have broken as broken down but more importantly it delves deep into the root cause,” he explained.

 Meanwhile, the Restorative Justice Department is strengthening collaboration with the Probation Department through the “One Referral, Two Desks” initiative, aimed at improving coordination and access to services.