Bail Bill expires

Newsday understands that at least 40 applications had been filed as of yesterday afternoon, with more expected to be filed in the coming days.

Taradath Singh is one of the lawyers who has already filed bail applications on behalf of clients who were remanded under the Bail Act for firearm possession, ammunition possession, and/or firearm-related offences.

“Some of my clients have been on remand for three months, some for two months. Under the now-expired Bail Act, they could have been held for 120 days without bail...I have already submitted five applications, which are coming up this week,” Singh told Newsday yesterday upon exiting the High Court. When The Bail (Amendment) Act was assented to, magistrates did not have much discretion but this changed following at least two rulings on the issue.

Now that the Act has expired, magistrates have to consider bail on first appearance or application however they still have a discretion not to grant bail while the accused still has option to go before a Judge in Chambers if he or she is denied bail.

Early July, Attorney General (AG) Faris Al Rawi had said an estimated 1,200 persons who were in remand for summary and indictable matters would have the right to approach the courts.

He said there could therefore be a “flood gate of habeas corpus applications and potential of claims for damages”.