AG: Courts' move to Tower D will save State $6m a year

ATTORNEY General Faris Al-Rawi says the relocation of the civil courts to the International Waterfront Tower D is expected to be completed by June.

It is also expected to save the State some $6 million annually.

In an update on the relocation on Sunday, Al-Rawi said work on the relocation of the courts continued under reviewed guidelines in keeping with policies for treating the covid19 pandemic.

Last week, in response to questions from Newsday, the Judiciary admitted the project was delayed but said work was continuing.

Al-Rawi said the global construction industry did not escape the covid19 pandemic and had forced the construction industry to review and implement new measures which include protecting workers through social distancing to minimise the spread of coronavirus.

“Covid19 is impacting the global construction industry with projects facing supply chain issues, a halt to planning and inspection timetables, and new measures to ensure the health and safety of the workforce.

“New social distancing measures have come into focus as international governments enact their approaches to minimise the spread of the coronavirus,” he said.

The relocation is expected to free up the courtroom space at the Hall of Justice, Port of Spain, and provide 40 courtrooms, 24 hearing rooms, five mediation rooms.

There will be “A total of 69 criminal courtrooms – 61 more than they now have,” he added.

Outfitting 13 floors of Tower D for the civil courts at the Waterfront will include demolishing and constructing walls, electrical and plumbing work, finishing and furniture work, constructing of courtrooms and providing equipment, including IT infrastructure, he said.

Work on the relocation began at the end of the tendering process in February, “so we are looking at a deadline at the end of June.”

He said the timeline for completion was 16 weeks.

The Judiciary is expected to occupy the nine floors at Tower D and Al-Rawi said: "The relocation will allow the Judiciary administration offices which are located in multiple buildings in rented spaces to be consolidated and moved into Tower D, including the Judicial Education Institute.

“This will result in savings of almost $6 million per annum from the consolidation of offices.”