By FRANCIS JOSEPH
FINALLY!
It seemed that virtual courts were going to a thing of the future.
But thanks to Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh, face-to-face hearings are set to resume in the new law term.
Virtual Courts came into existence during the Covid-19 pandemic. That was understood. Because of the pandemic and the spread across the world, virtual courts existed throughout many countries.
But that was a thing of the past. Virtual Courts were abolished in all countries after the end of the pandemic. But not here in Trinidad and Tobago. The last Chief Justice made no attempt to resume face-to-face hearings.
Prior to 2020, courts, especially in the High Court, used to be packed with members of the public to witness the proceedings. There was a certain group of retirees in the Hall of Justice, Port-of-Spain, who were considered “the extension” of the prosecution and defence teams – they always had an opinion on the evidence and submissions.
Since 2020, that has been missing.
The retirees – those who are still alive – would welcome the return of face-to-face hearings throughout the country.
The return to open hearings was listed in a letter from the Chief Justice to Commissioner of Police, Allister Guevarro, dated August 13.
CJ Boodoosingh informed the CoP that most Magistrates Courts will return to in-person court hearings from September 1. But not the court on St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain. That building has been under repairs for the past five years. But hopefully, it would be completed soon. The Justice Minister has promised the return of this building.
Missing from the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court is the drama outside where people waited on the pavement to see accused persons. Not forgetting the media photographers who waited for hours in the boiling sun to bring their images.
CJ Boodoosingh said face-to-face proceedings will resume in the criminal High Courts. According to the letter, 15 Criminal High Courts will be functional for in-person hearings from September, comprising 11 courts in Port of Spain, three at the Princes Town Judicial Centre and one in Tobago. (The San Fernando High Court building is under renovation).
The move is expected to bring increased activity back into court buildings as the Judiciary continues efforts to restore normal operations following the prolonged reliance on virtual proceedings.
Master’s Courts, however, will remain temporarily under a hybrid arrangement, with specific administrative arrangements to be coordinated at the divisional level.
CJ Boodoosingh said the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) was being informed so that appropriate arrangements could be made for the strength of police officers assigned to court locations. That means CoP Guevarro would have to find additional police officers to complement the strength, especially for the cells and for guarding prisoners in court.
The return to physical hearings has been the subject of repeated calls from members of the legal profession and the Judiciary.
During the pandemic, urgent matters were heard virtually while jury trials were suspended and in-person appearances were not allowed. Thousands of cases were dealt with through virtual hearings during that period.
However, there was no mention in the Chief Justice’s letter with regards to the transporting of remand inmates to and from the various court houses for in-person hearings.
