Attorney General: Backlogs in estate cases nearly cleared

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall says significant progress has been made in improving decision-making within Guyana’s judiciary, particularly in clearing long-standing backlogs in estate matters.
Speaking at the opening of Law Year 2026, Nandlall said delays that once plagued estate cases have been significantly eliminated, marking a major step forward in the administration of justice.
“I was pleased to note that the backlog in estate matters have almost been completely dissipated,” he said.
According to the Attorney General, the High Court is also experiencing minimal backlog, reflecting improved efficiency and faster case disposal. He credited these gains to deliberate reforms, increased judicial capacity, and sustained investments in the justice sector.
“We have made tremendous progress in bringing expediency and dispatch to decision-making in the judiciary,” Nandlall said.
However, he cautioned that challenges remain, particularly at the level of the Court of Appeal. He noted that while first-instance courts are moving cases more efficiently, appeals continue to experience delays that must be addressed.
Nandlall cited a matter he handled that has been pending before the Court of Appeal since 2016, describing the delay as unacceptable and frustrating for litigants seeking closure.
“That appeal is still pending, ten years now, and it has not been heard,” he related.
He expressed confidence that recent expansions within the appellate system will improve turnaround times. The Attorney General pointed to the increased complement of Justices of Appeal and the court’s ability to sit in multiple panels simultaneously as key developments that will help reduce delays.
“With the increased complements of the Court of Appeal and the ability to have three quorum at any given time, that will enhance and augment expediency,” he noted.
Nandlall emphasised that timely decision-making is critical to public trust in the justice system and said continued focus must be placed on efficiency at every level of the courts as Guyana moves into 2026 and beyond.