Limping judge delivers rulings

JUSTICE Nolan Bereaux limped into the San Fernando High Court yesterday with the aid of a pair of crutches, after being injured recently. However, while he was in some discomfort, the judge bravely discharged his duties and presided over the San Fernando First Civil Court, where he delivered judgments in two cases. Bereaux told attorney Khemraj Harrikissoon and State attorney Neil Byam, he was still fine-tuning his judgment on a constitutional motion filed by a sawmill owner against the State over refusal of a licence to cut and haul timber.

The judge also disclosed he had ruled against attorney Sunil Gosine’s case on behalf of a man who filed a constitutional motion challenging a magistrate’s decision to revoke the original bail for an increased bail amount, set by another magistrate. Bereaux apologised that having regard to his condition, a proper written judgment could not be forthcoming. As the Supreme Court closed yesterday for vacation, Bereaux wished all attorneys a restful holiday, telling them, “I have no choice, through divine intervention maybe, all I have to do is lie down,” he said. Supreme Court protocol officer, Michael Lilla, told Newsday that the judge’s injury did not occur on the job.