CJ pays surprise visit to Probate Section

Chief Justice Satnarine Sharma made a snap visit yesterday to the troubled Probate Section at the Hall of Justice and immediately instituted measures, including a “hotline,” to deal with the long delays and other problems faced by the public and workers. The CJ, accompanied by acting executive secretary Michelle Austin during the surprise visit, sent shivers through the administrative ground floor of the Hall of Justice. CJ Sharma had just left the bench in the Court of Appeal after presiding over a matter with Justices Margot Warner and Lionel Jones, which they dismissed about 11 am

During the visit, the CJ chatted with staff and members of the public, noting their complaints and problems. Staff members said it was the first time a Chief Justice showed such concern about the public. They said the visit was pleasant and not confrontational. Members of the public who were waiting, expressed surprise that the CJ had taken time off from his busy schedule to investigate and attend to many complaints about delays encountered in the Probate Section. In the same swift move, CJ Sharma also dealt with other complaints by attorneys and the public about a new system of having to take a number before being attended to at registries.

During the visit, the CJ called a meeting with court executive administrator master Christie-Ann Morris-Alleyne and registrar of the Supreme Court Evelyn Ann Petersen. It is understood he ordered that the Probate Section, which deals with wills, be immediately outfitted with a hotline, e-mail and a fax machine. This will enable attorneys and others to  acquire information without having to come to the Registry. Although other steps to speed up service in probate will also come on stream at a later date, the CJ is expected to get an assistant registrar for the section. Also, with immediate effect, the number system will only apply to those persons visiting the registries to pay money.

Attorneys and members of the public visit these registries on a daily basis, filing and retrieving documents and information. Within recent times anyone, including attorneys, wanting to enter the registries, had to take a number, wait outside until called and checked by the security guard before being attended to by counter clerks. Sources said they expect the CJ to visit other sections of the Hall of Justice.