Get ready to move

In a letter dated February 9 to Gafoor, Jeremie said the AS Bryden building has been available for several weeks and is ready to temporarily accommodate the Tax Appeal Court which suspended sittings on January 13 in light of the threat of the Judiciary to throw the members and staff out of the Hall of Justice.

Jeremie pointed out that Gafoor and his members toured the Bryden site and accepted the building.

However, Gafoor is on record as saying that the Bryden building cannot accommodate the court, but only the registry.

He also pointed out that his staff will be at risk to the criminal element in that part of the city.

He also stated that lawyers are unwilling to send their clerks to George Street to file documents.

The Chief Justice has sent a final notice to the board to vacate the second floor of the Hall of Justice by February 20.

Sharma wants the board out of the Hall of Justice to make way for more chambers for the additional temporary judges appointed.

The matter was first raised in June 2005, and a formal notice was sent requesting the board to leave the Hall of Justice by September 1, 2005.

However, Gafoor has been resisting the move until Government finds a suitable venue for the court, which has been at the Hall of Justice for the past three decades.

By letter dated February 7, Michelle Austin, the acting Administrative Secretary to the Chief Justice, wrote to Gafoor, stating in part, "please be informed, therefore, that if the board does not vacate the premises it currently occupies on the second floor of the Hall of Justice on or before February 20, 2006, such further steps as may be advised shall be taken to secure possession of (the) said premises."

In her letter, Austin also stated, "I am instructed by the Honourable, the Chief Justice to point out that the Judiciary has been extremely patient and tolerant over the years in allowing the board to continue to occupy the premises in spite of the Supreme Court’s urgent need for the space.

Unfortunately, given the dire circumstance with which the Judiciary is now faced, the Honourable, the Chief Justice has determined that this indulgence can no longer be afforded."

By letter dated February 8, Gafoor replied to Austin, saying that despite various meetings with the Attorney General, his Permanent Secretary and officials of the ministry, no suitable premises have formally been offered to the court for its relocation.