JENNIFER LEACH recently left the Registration Department after five years of contractual service, but her legacy will remain for a long time.

Acting High Court Judge Maureen Crane-Scott, QC, spoke about Leach's contribution at a farewell function at the Savannah Hotel.

Crane-Scott said she was impressed to discover that it was Leach, who was responsible for restructuring the court reporting services offered by the Registration Department.

Leach was also credited for raising the level of professionalism in the department. She worked along with the Barbados Community College (BCC) to make sure the required courses were introduced and that an adequate pool of persons received training. Four of the 14 staffers in the department are from the BCC.

The evidently industrious Leach was also a driving force behind training opportunities for the department's court reporters.

For the past three years officers have gone to the United States to participate in an annual conference for court reporting organisations.

"Doubtless these training opportunities have provided a measure of motivation to the department's staff and instilled a renewed spirit of pride in the court reporting profession, as a respected and indispensable career within the justice system," the acting High Court judge said.

Crane-Scott also read several tributes from department staff, which helped to inform her presentation. (YB)