Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Arviat (Jan 23/02) - The Nunavut Court of Justice is confident it will meet Arviat's needs.

The regional circuit court is only scheduled to visit Arviat three times this year for non-jury matters.

Concerns were raised during a regular council meeting that three sittings may not be enough to address the community's judicial needs.

Many people in the hamlet also feel it's unfair for victims to have to wait for what they view as extended periods of time before their case goes to trial.

The court's schedule was prepared in June of 2001.

The judicial administrator for the Nunavut Court of Justice, Shani Watts, said the proposed schedule was sent out to all interested parties, including the RCMP detachment and hamlet council.

"They were all given the opportunity to respond to the proposal," said Watts. "After hearing the comments from those interested in responding, the schedule was finalized and released."

The circuit used to include Baker Lake, Arviat and Rankin.

That has now been divided into two circuits; one with Baker and Rankin, the other with Arviat and Rankin.

The change will allow the court to sit longer during each visit to a community.

Special sittings are also set aside to be used as the need arises in any community.

These sittings may be used to make up court dates cancelled by bad weather, or to deal with a steep rise in crime in a community.

Watts said the Justice of the Peace Court is starting to play a larger role in Nunavut communities, taking some pressure off the circuit court.

Many communities have sworn in new JPs, or have a number in training.

"With the increase in both their training and abilities, they'll also be able to deal with matters quicker."

Watts acknowledges the stress involved when a victim and suspect have to wait for their court appearance in a small, closely-knit community. However, she quickly adds, Nunavut is one of the country's best when it comes to dealing with matters in a timely fashion.

"We have a growing need for civil and child-welfare trials. The special weeks we put aside are also used to address these matters as they come up, which is more often as we grow as a territory."