Government improves civil enforcement service for collections

Justice Minister Kelvin Parsons announced in the legislature this week government's intention to improve technological means of service delivery to its Civil Enforcement Registry.

This new initiative is referred to by the Sheriff's Office and government as the as the Remote Access Project.

"The most important new initiative in the field of personal property security law in the province this year is the development of the Remote Access Project of the Sheriff's Office and the Department of Justice," said Minister Parsons.

It represents the first e-commerce initiative of the Department of Justice and will permit selected users, such as businesses and law firms throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, to search the Judgment Enforcement Registry remotely from their own computer site. It will also allow users to register their judgments and pay for these services electronically.

At the same time, the ability of users of the Judgment Enforcement Registry to register their judgments and to conduct searches in the more traditional way by submitting paper documents and requests will be preserved.

"Just as Marconi was a man of vision whose achievements we've celebrated all year long in this province," said Parsons, "we should celebrate the achievements and initiative of the Sheriff's Office and the Department of Justice staff in delivering this project.

"These changes will put Newfoundland and Labrador in the forefront and on the cutting edge in the field of civil enforcement law," said Minister Parsons.

The proposed changes will be publicized in newsletters, training sessions with users will be coordinated with the Department of Justice, and a toll-free telephone line will be established at the Sheriff's Office to provide information to the public.

Media contact: Edwina Bateman, Communications, (709) 729-6985.

2001 11 28                             1:10 p.m.