Sharma blasts Government

THE ONGOING battle between the Chief Justice and the Government continued yesterday when CJ Sat Sharma criticised the executive for not providing sufficient funds for the judiciary. He said Trinidad and Tobago had a lot of resources, but he had to go and beg foreign countries for assistance for the judiciary. Sharma said Magistrates’ Courts were falling down and the justice system left a lot to be desired. The Chief Justice was speaking at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain, after he received five digital court report systems valued at US$180,000 from United States Ambassador Dr Roy Austin. Another ten are expected by the end of May and should be operational by the time the new law term opens in September, the Chief Justice added.

Sharma said since his appointment in 2002, one of his greatest concerns was the state of the Magistrates’ Courts, which he said have been suffering for the past 50 years. “It is outdated, archaic, and not conducive for the administration of justice. The trial list is long and the magistrates are over-tired.” Sharma said the receipt of the new equipment would speed up the system of justice. “Trinidad and Tobago has vast resources, but we have to rely on foreign governments for assistance on matters of crucial importance to this country.” The equipment, according to the Chief Justice, would replace the outdated system of taking down notes in long hand. On the issue of the digital recording of preliminary inquiries at the Magistrates’ Courts, Sharma said the law would be changed and paper committals will replace the outdated way of conducting inquiries.

Sharma returned to the state of the Magistracy. He said the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court, which was threatened with closure by the San Fernando City Corporation last year, remains a sore point for him. “There are chaotic conditions, people are operating in primitive conditions, there is no ventilation, the roof is bad, the building is on the verge of dilapidation. When the new facilities will be ready, is hard to say.” He continued, “how these magistrates, clerks and lawyers perform is something of a miracle.” Sharma said other courts throughout the country were in dire need of repairs and/or replacement. He was hopeful that all these problems would be a thing of the past by September.

“The magistrates and clerks work in primitive and uncivilised conditions. It is a blot on the administration of justice. It is a sad day when we have to reply on the generosity of a foreign government for a donation so the system of justice functions efficiently. At last, we will bury the legal dinosaur.” Responding to questions from the media, Sharma is hoping that all courts will be equipped with the new technology by the end of the year. He said the equipment cannot operate by itself. Several members of staff are undergoing training at COSTAATT. Sean Jones, manager of the court reporting system, said very few people will have access to the new equipment. He dispelled fears that the transcripts of trials could be tampered with.