Judges who delay written judgments have been warned and given a strict timeline to expedite their work or face action, said the chief justice.

NONE "We have written to the specific judges giving them a strict timeline. Sufficient warning have been given.

If they don't comply, action will be taken," Chief Justice Ariffin Zakaria ( right ) said in Putrajaya today when met by reporters after launching the new one-stop counter service at the Palace of Justice.

He admitted that such cases have happened and some have been brought to his attention.

The one-stop center, he hoped, would expedite the delivery of court services to the public who otherwise would have to go to different counters on at least two separate levels to handle their legal business.

Asked to respond about the controversial amendment Section 114A, of the Evidence Act, Ariffin refused comment, only saying that it is a matter "of government policy".

Lawyers and those with cases pending in the courts have complained that some judges were taking too long to produce their written judgements, which is essential for them to continue seeking legal recourse at the Appellate and Federal courts, thus delaying their cases.

dap pc 010208 charles santiago Just yesterday an MP and a unionist have urged the judiciary to upbraid a judge for delaying a written judgment over their judicial review application against the federal government, asking for full disclosure of the details of the agreement with Selangor water concessionaire Syabas.

The written judgment, said Klang MP Charles Santiago ( left ), was promised within one month after the appellate court bench, led by Justice Zaleha Zahari, reversed an earlier High Court decision in their favour.

The High Court had initially ruled in the applicants’ favour, instructing the government to disclose the classified concession documents and an audit report justifying the 2006 water tariff hike in Selangor.

However, as of now, lamented the Klang MP, the document is 19 months overdue.