Antigua and Barbuda to Introduce New Prosecutorial Tools to Cut Criminal Case Delays
Antigua and Barbuda will introduce new prosecutorial tools aimed at reducing delays in criminal cases, Attorney General Sir Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin told Parliament during his contribution to the 2026 Budget Debate.
Addressing long-standing backlogs in the courts, Sir Steadroy said the government will rely on plea bargaining and the Voluntary Bill of Indictment Act to move cases more quickly through the justice system.
“One thing we’re going to do … is look at the Voluntary Bill of Indictment Act,” the Attorney General said. “This is a modern-day legislation. It directly confronts delays in cases.”
He explained that the measure allows prosecutors to avoid outdated procedures that often slow cases in the lower courts.
“So in an appropriate case, the DPP can bypass the outdated processes and direct the matter straight to the court,” Sir Steadroy told the House .
The Attorney General also confirmed that plea bargaining will be actively used as part of the strategy to speed up criminal proceedings.
“We also [are] looking at plea bargaining,” he said. “This speeds up the process, so we shall believe that as well.”
Sir Steadroy said the measures form part of a broader effort to ensure that criminal matters reach the High Court faster and are disposed of more efficiently, reducing the burden on the courts and shortening the time accused persons spend awaiting trial.
He told MPs that the government is determined to address systemic delays that undermine confidence in the justice system, noting that justice must be both timely and effective.
The Attorney General said these changes will be pursued during 2026 as part of the Legal Affairs Ministry’s agenda to modernise criminal procedure and improve court efficiency under the national budget .
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