We welcome the law commission’s inquiry into why it took 21 years for verdicts to be reached in the Adflame Pharmaceuticals case that concluded last month.
This case, which resulted in three company officials being sentenced for 10 years, was one of several filed over the deaths of 76 children from adulterated paracetamol syrup in the 1990s.
It is vital that the government acts to ensure reforms to speed up the process of justice. The slow pace of many court cases adds to an already large backlog, and makes it harder for citizens to secure justice.
There are still outstanding trials in two of the 1990s adulterated paracetomol cases, which have either been stayed or delayed due to the non-appearance of witnesses.
One consequence has been a re-occurrence of similar outstanding cases such as that involving Rid Pharma over the deaths of 28 children in 2009 from kidney failure brought on by adulterated syrups.
Several of the commission’s recommendations to free bottlenecks merit urgent attention.
Its suggestion that High Court rules be amended to require reviews of stay orders in cases which are not disposed within six months may help encourage lower courts to be more pro-active in progressing cases.
More attention should also be given to ensuring properly recorded depositions by witnesses. The police need to be helped in encouraging witnesses to come forward in a timely manner, so that cases are not blocked by a lack of evidence. Freeing up procedural obstacles and keeping cases free from administrative interference can reduce undue delays and better ensure justice for all.