Backlog Cases in the Magistrates Court to be Cleared

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Monday, 04 February 2013 02:30

By Desiree George

Antigua St. John's - Two Permanent Magistrates have been appointed. Three temporary Magistrates have also been appointed and the appointment of a fourth temporary Magistrate pending.

The appointment of the three temporary Magistrates; Tracy Benn-Roberts,Fidela Corbin Lincoln and Dexter Wason took effect Monday January 31st,2013 and will be  in effect until March 29th,2013.

The name of the fourth temporary Magistrate and also the two permanent Magistrates has not been disclosed.

According to Attorney General Justin Simon in his Parliamentary address on January 31st,2013, “ there are backlogs of cases in the Magistrate court that need to be cleared”.

“For too long now the cases have been piling up so this is a relief”, one Law Enforcement Officer who is stationed at the court said.

The retirement of senior Magistrate Asquith Rivere left two Magistrates Veronica Thomas and Joanne Walsh while the promotion of Judge Keith Thom - a former Magistrate who is now a High Court judge  sent the court cases into a further pile up.

The Attorney General said that effective February 1st, 2013 Her Majesty Prison will serve as a Magistrates Court temporarily for prisoner remand hearings.

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