Magisterial inquiries

Provisions exist in our laws for a magisterial inquiry to be held in the event of a sudden, accidental death. It would also be in order to say that such a judicial inquiry is normally expected to be "a serious and independent inquiry", accompanied by competent recommendations for amendments in the law were any considered necessary by the inquiring magistrate.

Apparently, however, this is not the case. Our magisterial inquiries are not serious, independent inquiries, nor can they be expected to offer any advice to the administration on necessary changes in the law to lessen the chances of similar accidents occurring.

Such are the conclusions that a rational being can draw when he reads in the press that the Leader of the Opposition is demanding "a serious and independent inquiry", and the Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs is declaring that he intends to set up a special commission to look into the tragic death of a young woman attending a New Year's Eve party, to learn what changes in the law are necessary, and both announcements come while a magisterial inquiry is taking place.

Our judiciary deserves better both from our Minister of Justice and from the Leader of the Opposition. If magisterial inquiries are not functioning as they should, it is up to the government and the Opposition to see that they do, and to do this together. These legal institutions are too important for the proper running of the country to be ignored or left to their own devices.