If you're waiting to contest a speeding ticket, or other fine handed out by provincial police, you may want to remember the name Jordan.
Earlier this month, Quebec Judge Jacques Barbès ordered a stay of proceedings in four cases, all because the accused had been waiting longer than the 18-month limit set by the Supreme Court of Canada last year.
According to its ruling, now known as the Jordan decision, the trial for an accused person must begin within 18 months after charges are laid; 30 months for a jury trial.
In the cases Judge Barbès presided over, the most recent offence was dated April 29, 2015.
The oldest July 31, 2014.
On Monday Quebec Justice Minister Stephanie Vallee and Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux announced the province will hire 18 new judges to help address lengthy court delays.
Along with the judges, Quebec is bringing in 52 additional prosecutors, 60 support staff for prosecutors and 132 new court employees.
With thousands of cases clogging up the court system, Coiteux said it's too early to determine if the new measures will be enough to stop the flood of accused criminals being released for undue delays.