Lawyers give Friday deadline — Fix this court or else

The authorities have been given until Friday to give a definitive response as to how the problems which provoked a two-day lawyer protest at the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court would be addressed. Meanwhile the attorneys return to work today.

This was the word  given by Attorney Chateram Sinanan, spokesperson for the group of attorneys at the San Fernando Court. Yesterday Sinanan said, “We have given the authorities a chance to respond, and if by Friday we have no definitive we may well resume our protest action.” On the last two days, yesterday and last Friday, the lawyers protested poor conditions at the court, some staying away while others who appeared in court did not make any legal representations. Attorney Chateram Sinanan said, “We are concerned for our clients, some have been arrested and are yet to be represented.”

The lawyers’ actions saw scores of matters having to be adjourned at the various courts. When asked about what the protest has achieved, Attorney Sinanan responded, “So far we have been able to sensitise the entire nation to all the concerns at the Magistrates’ Court.” He added, “We have had the views of everyone involved in this matter.” Sinanan said they had spoken to senior officials of the Police Association (Southern Division) and also intend to communicate with the president of the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Magistrates Magistrate Ramraj Harripersad.

Sinanan also announced plans to invite officials of the City Corporation to inspect the building. He added that the Criminal Bar Association came out in support of the lawyers’ actions for better working conditions. The San Fernando Magistrates’ Court has been plagued with infrastructural problems such as leaking roofs, rotten furniture, no air condition facilities and at times an unbearable stench coming from the cesspit area.  Police also complain of a lack of facilities at the cellblock area which, as was pointed out by one attorney, was once a toilet. Last year, members of the clerical staff protested on three occasions against the working conditions.