The Committee was borne out of the need to eradicate extortionist rings and cartels in road transport, reduce public ignorance in matters traffic, and seal legal loopholes, which occasion delays and lead to corrupt practices.
The guidelines seek to establish fairness and bring consistency and standards in bail/bond terms and guide police and judicial officers in the application of laws that provide for bail and bond. Further, they seek to emphasize oversight mechanisms and inter-agency co-ordination as well as public sensitisation. This is to ensure the rights of suspects and accused persons to liberty and to be presumed innocent are balanced with the public interest, including protecting the rights of victims of crime.
Court User Committees are the optimal site for citizen service delivery and justice sector institutional transformation. They support the function of the justice in the stations, facilitate the functions of the NCAJ and in turn ensures a coordinated, efficient, effective and consultative approach in the administration of justice, providing an avenue to address matters in the administration of justice while enhancing public participation and stakeholder engagement; developing public understanding of court operations; promoting effective justice sector partnerships and advancing the application of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms
Section 35 of the Judicial Service Act No.1 of 2011 institutionalizes Court Users Committees (herein referenced as CUCs )by providing for the establishment of the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) to ensure a coordinated, efficient, effective and consultative approach in the administration of justice and the transformation of the justice system.
CUCs are established in:
- The High Court Station
- The Magistrate Court Station
- Special Courts and Tribunals;
- Special Courts and Tribunals will include: The County level and at each Court Station within the County