During debate of the 2026/2027 budget, Attorney General Wayne Munroe highlighted efforts to improve efficiency in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, noting the use of multiple strategies to address the backlog and better ensure the timely delivery of justice.
Munroe said the office’s work is critical to public safety, ensuring justice is served fairly and maintaining confidence in the rule of law.
“Over the past year, the office has made significant progress, believe it or not, in addressing the long outstanding challenge of judicial backlog through a combination of successful prosecution, plea negotiation, strategic case reviews, and the discontinuance of matters that were no longer viable for prosecutions,” he said.
“They have some matters over 10 and 15 years old that are no longer viable for prosecution. The results are substantial. During the period January to December 2025 they disposed of 206 criminal matters.
“They had 27 convictions, 63 plea agreements, 74 nolles, 37 acquittals, and five matters discontinued due to the death of the defendant.”
Munroe, who has in the past expressed his views in support of the use of plea agreements, noted that they are essential to an efficient criminal justice system.
“No criminal justice system aims to try the majority or all of its cases, none, not in any developed country, and not in any developing country,” he said.
“…Justice is not served, Madam President, by allowing weak or inactive matters to remain indefinitely within the system. Justice is served when cases are properly assessed, resources are directed towards matters capable of successful prosecution, and victims and defendants alike receive timely resolution.”
Munroe said the Office of the DPP is continuing its comprehensive review of historic cases as it continues work to clear the backlog.
However, he noted that there is a need for major renovations of the workspace, something he said will be addressed “very shortly”.
Munroe also said there is a capacity issue in Grand Bahama, but noted that the New Providence Office will be working to help with addressing the matter.
Munroe said that work is underway as it relates to the development of a new Supreme Court Complex, with the demolition of the Rodney Bain Building 90 percent complete.
“I think there may just be one wall left up, bringing us much closer to the next phase of this transformational project,” he said.
“A modern court complex is not simply about a new building. It’s about functionality, it’s about safety, it’s about efficiency, and it’s about creating an environment capable of supporting the administration of justice for decades to come.”
Munroe said the completed complex will provide improved courtroom capacity, modern facilities for judges and staff, enhanced accommodation for attorneys and witnesses, and a more efficient environment for members of the public.
“This will be a building that is to last the judiciary for decades,” he said.
“It will be an impressive structure. It will shape the cityscape of the city of Nassau.
“It is not the case that it will be a puny, petty, small building.
“It is only right that when somebody comes and views what is your…Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, your highest courts in the land, that they are impressed by what they see.”
