We must not have a different system of justice for the rich and the poor, for the government and the people, for the DPP and the Defense.

Those were the words of High Court Judge Justice Nazhat Shameem as she addressed High Court clerks at the first ever case management and criminal court procedures training programme.

Justice Shameem stressed that when we have different rules for different people, the rich and powerful have an advantage over the poor and unrepresented and it is wrong as the most important principle in a justice system is equality before the law.

She also said that no one must be allowed to pick a judge or a hearing date as there must be a random, uniform and transparent case management system.

The Judge said lawyers can complain about a fast judge or a slow judge, a tough judge or a soft one, but they will have the luck of the draw and if they do not like the decision of a court, they can always appeal as Judge shopping is a form of corruption.

Justice Shameem also called on the court clerks to never accept any gift or favor from lawyers or litigants in the criminal courts. She said there is no such thing as a free lunch and any lawyer who gives you lunch money will expect you to return the favor one day.

The court clerks have been told, that if anyone in power asks them to disregard the system, they must make a note on the file.