Government’s decision to cut budget funding to the judiciary has not found favour with the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, which yesterday asked that move be re-considered.

The 2009/2010 Budget amount originally requested by the judiciary is to be cut by twelve per cent, Chief Justice Ivor Archie disclosed on Wednesday. He was at the time addressing the opening of the new law term at the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain.

Stating its concern in a news release yesterday, the chamber said this newly-reduced allocation could eventually act as an impediment in the war against crime.

’At a time when the country’s crime situation is spiralling, with the media reporting fifteen murders in the past few days, the need for improvement in the judicial system in order to deliver swift justice is extremely urgent,’ the chamber said.

’Reform of the Judiciary, as indicated by the Chief Justice in his appointment almost a year ago, must be dealt with. The Judiciary needs to be properly funded to be effective, relevant and capable to enable it to respond to the demands placed on the judiciary at this critical time.’

The chamber continued: ’These budget cuts will surely compromise this programme of reform and will be an impediment to the war against crime. It is our hope that the Government re-considers its position with respect to its allocation of funds to the Judiciary, as the lives of our law-abiding citizens depend on it.’