SOUTHERN lawyers have proposed using an available courtroom at the Princes Town District Court for civil trials.

When the San Fernando High Court was closed for infrastructural upgrades in August 2023, judges on the civil bench were told the Princes Town Family Court would be available for their use for San Fernando cases and encouraged to hold virtual hearings where possible.

However, at least two judges were unsuccessful in getting courtrooms at the court.

They have since been told the San Fernando Supreme Court is not expected to be ready until the last quarter of 2024.

In an update to judges, deputy court executive administrator Wendy Lewis-Callender said, “Please note that we have had some setbacks with this project because of the scope of works and related costs (which could only have been finalised with the engagement of a special purpose state enterprise). As a result, we do not expect that the building will be ready until the last quarter of 2025.”

She also referred to arrangements for sharing courtrooms at the Princes Town Court in 2023.

President of the Southern Assembly of Lawyers (ASL) Saira Lakhan also asked for additional measures for San Fernando trials.

She wrote to the Chief Justice on September 16, asking for another court facility at the Princes Town District Court for civil trials.

“This request is necessitated by the unfortunate and continuing closure of the High Court in San Fernando. Further, many litigants and attorneys who have matters which either originated at the High Court at San Fernando or involve parties and subjects which are located in southern Trinidad, have requested in-person trials through their attorneys.

“The closure of the San Fernando High Court continues to have a significant negative impact on the administration of justice for practitioners and litigants in the southern region of TT.

“The San Fernando High Court has traditionally served as a crucial venue for the resolution of a wide range of legal matters, including civil and criminal cases. Its closure continues to cause tremendous inconvenience in the dispensation of justice, which we are all committed to upholding.

“In light of the above, we respectfully propose the utilisation of one of the unused courts in Princes Town District Court.”

She said Princes Town was preferred over the Waterfront Judicial Complex in Port of Spain.

“If this request is facilitated it will greatly assist a multitude of litigants and attorneys in their commute to the Waterfront Judicial Centre for trials in San Fernando matters.

“Moreover, the use of a court in Princes Town would ensure that access to justice remains efficient and effective, and that the rights of all parties are adequately protected.

“We are confident that the judiciary shares our commitment to ensuring that justice is served without undue delay.

“We believe that this interim measure will greatly assist in maintaining the smooth operation of our legal system during this period of transition."

Lakhan asked for an update and offered to meet