A critical shortage of judicial resources is creating a hefty backlog of cases at the Blenheim’s Provincial Offences Court.
A report to C-K council from Christine Jackson, manager of the Blenheim facility, said that as of Sept. 23, court dropped down to one day a week, rather than two, and may be subject to further planned closures this year.
To date there are 2,500 matters waiting to be heard, which may include trials.
The report stated the problem is due to a lack of available justices of the peace in the region, as the result of a significant number of retirements and leaves of absences.
Since taking over the court in 2000, Chatham-Kent has held court on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, for a potential of 104 court dates annually. However, that number was reduced to 82 dates in 2022.
Last-minute cancellations have also been a problem, the report stated, including the cancellation on one day when 80 matters were expected to be dealt with.
The report stated that area residents are being denied access to justice as a result of the delays. Chatham-Kent is expected to reach out to Chatham-Kent–Leamington MPP Trevor Jones to help resolve the matter.
