Jurisdiction in wards of court matters is vested in the High Court. As the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions, it is not open to me to intervene or comment on the conduct of any individual case.
I am informed that there should be no undue delays in paying bills such as nursing home accounts from the Office of Wards of Court. All accounts payable on behalf of wards are dealt with on a "fast-track" basis and processed promptly.
However, I am aware that there are in excess of 180 applications for dismissal from wardship in respect of deceased wards waiting to be processed in the Office of Wards of Court. The time taken to deal with any given case depends on the issues involved, the nature of the assets and liabilities of the deceased and whether the affairs of the deceased were in order at the date of death. The Office of Wards of Court has informed me that, prior to the recent assignment of additional staff by me, the waiting time for completion of some of these applications could be up to two years.
In view of the serious arrears problem in the office which arose because of historical staff shortages, five additional staff have been sanctioned at my request to eliminate delays in this area. I am informed that assignments have been made to four senior positions in the office. This includes three staff for new posts sanctioned. Arrangements to fill vacancies at the more junior level are now under way.
