Quick action saves court documents

A prompt and efficient return to the administration of justice through the operation of the Magistrates’ Courts is already underway, and the situation caused by last Friday’s fire is under control.

This is the view of Acting Chief Magistrate, Sharda Sinanan-Bollers.{{more}}

Following a fire, which broke out at the Magistrates’ Courts Building, Kingstown, on Friday, July 21, 2006, all Magistrates’ Courts across the country were suspended until further notice.

Sinanan-Bollers disclosed, that the fire caused an immediate disruption of all sittings as it rendered the premises of the Magistrates’ Court Building uninhabitable.

But amidst the challenges posed by the fire it is reported that most of the court’s records were salvaged, due to the vigilant and prompt efforts of the authorities, including the Police and its Fire Department.

Sinanan-Bollers, who also holds the post of Director, Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), said since the fire, the Magistrates’ Department has been working diligently to ensure that there is a quick resumption of sittings at all Magistrates’ Courts so as to minimize any disruption in the administration of justice.

She said as a result of the work put in by the magisterial staff, Magistrates’ Courts in Districts II and III were able to resume sittings on Tuesday, July 25, two working days after the fire.

Sinanan-Bollers, who once served as Senior Crown Council disclosed that the Serious Offenses Court, the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court and the Family Court are expected to resume sittings in a temporary location while premises are being prepared for the relocation of all three courts. The Family Court was already in the process of being relocated to new premises.

According to Sinanan-Bollers, the Serious Offenses Court will resume next Wednesday, August 2 at the High Court, Kingstown, while the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court resumed its sitting yesterday upstairs the High Court, in the area occupied by Parliament. The Family Court will, however, share premises in the High Court Building, or use the facilities of the Calliaqua Magistrate’s Court until its new location at Bay Street, Kingstown is ready for occupation.

As a result of the disturbance two high profile cases were suspended, – the Preliminary Inquiries into the death of Glen Jackson, former Press Secretary to Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and the rape and assault of a two young visitors.