South lawyers write to CJ

THE Assembly of Southern Lawyers (ASL) has written to Chief Justice Ivor Archie seeking a meeting to discuss relocating the magistrates’ courts in San Fernando.

ASL president Michael Rooplal said in the letter that attorneys want to know whether the condemned court building is to be refurbished or demolished.

The San Fernando High Court currently houses the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth magistrates’ courts in two courtrooms. This has resulted in court sessions having to take place on a shift system on mornings and afternoons. This has taken a toll on magistrates, who sit for longer hours, the police and court staff.

“There has been an acute lack of information being provided to southern practitioners on plans for the San Fernando magistrates’ courts. As key stakeholders, the ASL considers this dearth of communication an affront to our membership,” the letter stated.

Word is that the magistrates’ court is to be housed in the Trinidad Islandwide Cane Farmers Association building in San Fernando. That building is as old as the condemned magistrates’ courts. Rooplal said that all along, attorneys have been told the magistrates’ court building would be repaired and restored.