Acting CJ: Please, consult the Judiciary

ALTHOUGH Attorney General Glenda Morean-Phillip admitted there was a better relationship between the executive and the judiciary, acting Chief Justice Lionel Jones blasted those in authority for failing to consult with the judiciary when it comes to the design of courthouses. Justice Jones said, “the judiciary hopes and trusts that never again will a courthouse be designed without the judiciary’s involvement and that of the appropriate police unit. In fact, we hope that from here on, the judiciary will be recognised as the client when court buildings are to be designed and built. Justice Jones was speaking at the handing over ceremony of the new wing of the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court on St Vincent Street yesterday. The acting CJ regretted the absence of CJ Sat Sharma who is in Canada. He said Sharma had directed a lot of energy in attempting to satisfy the dire needs of the magistracy. “He has openly and repeatedly expressed his concern for the state of court buildings, the staffing of the courts and the factors which hamper the judiciary from giving to the citizens of the country the level of service we are continually bound to provide.”

Justice Jones said the failure by the authorities to consult the judiciary on the design of the new wing caused several hiccups. He pointed out that the judiciary was unable to accept the keys to the building on December 8, 2000. (The last Chief Justice Michael de la Bastide refused the accept the keys to the building because of the construction). He said the way the building was originally designed could have never properly satisfied the requirements of a courthouse. While expressing pleasure at receiving the keys, Justice Jones said the judiciary will still not be able to occupy the building immediately. He said he spoke to CJ Sharma who expressed his continued dissatisfaction with the progress or lack of progress in remedying the several matters that had been pointed out over time. The acting CJ thanked the Attorney General for doing what she has done so far. “We appreciate too, your undertaking to ensure financial support while the judiciary itself completes the work which should have been done to bring it to a useable state.”

AG Morean-Phillip said the construction of the new wing started in mid 1998 and although major works were completed by November 2000, it has taken three years to hand over the building owing to several problems with the structure. She said although these problems were identified three years ago, there were further delays. “Maybe this was a case of too many cooks spoilt the broth. With all these agencies working on the building, maybe there were too many wires crossed,” the AG added. Morean-Phillip did not go into details of the problems, but pointed out that the relationship between the executive and the judiciary had improved. The judiciary and the previous UNC Government had been locked in battle over several issues. She said Cabinet on November 28, 2001, approved $5 million for the provision of security works for the building, as well as the creation of a registry. The AG said although the building was handed over, there was still work to be done which could delay the occupancy of the premises.