Sir David: Problems being dealt with

THE ISLAND'S TOP JUDGE has given those in the legal profession the assurance that the problems they have been experiencing in the new Barbados Supreme Court Complex are being dealt with.

Chief Justice Sir David Simmons was speaking as he welcomed 26 new attorneys to the Bar in a special sitting in the Court No. 1 yesterday.

"There will be teething problems and niggling irritants, as the Registrar has described them, to be expected in a large and complex structure such as this building," Sir David told members of the gathering which included Attorney-General Freundel Stuart, members of the magistracy, lawyers from both sides of the Bar, as well as family and friends of the new attorneys.

"I appeal to you to be understanding and patient. And I give you the assurance that, as problems arise, they are being dealt with," Sir David said.

In the month since the multi-storied complex threw open its door to those in the legal profession and to the public, workers from the Registration Department, the Law Library and the Court Process Office who have been centralised in the building have complained about urine leaking from the roof and faeces on the floor of one of the lower levels.

In addition, staff and lawyers have been complaining about relentless searches by security guards, with staff saying they were searched every time they entered the building and at least one attorney relating how a security guard told her that because she had a lawyer's gown, that did not mean she was a lawyer.