Renovated Magistrates Court to be handed over on June 28, while leaking roof at Family Court forces temporary relocation

Attorney-General Sir Steadroy Benjamin has announced to his Cabinet
colleagues that the Magistrates’ Court on High Street, having been fully
repaired and renovated, will be handed over to the chief magistrate on Friday,
June 28

Work has been on-going at that site for many months, the Cabinet Notes claim.
But, in fact, the work has taken more than three years.

The building, once the High Court of Antigua and Barbuda, was abandoned
due to structural and other problems and the operations of the court moved to
the Knuckle Block building in Rural West, depriving residents of the
community centre it was designed and intended to be.

Meanwhile, there is no word on when that Centre will receive the extensive
repairs it is said to now require.

Attorneys who try cases and transact other business there have complained
that one courtroom is out of commission due to a leaking roof and mold
infestation, while the washroom facilities are said to be in a deplorable
condition, with the fittings needing replacement – not repairs.

Meanwhile, Thursday’s Notes report that the Registrar at the High Court,
accompanied by the permanent secretary of Legal Affairs, the principal

assistant secretary, and another official were invited to Cabinet to address a
challenge at the Family Court housed in that building.

The Notes say the recent rains have confirmed a leak in the roof that has
caused moisture to accumulate in the ceiling and an unpleasant odour to
emanate from the closed area.

Sixteen staff members service the Family Court, and several staff members
occupying one of the rooms have reported feeling unwell from the tainted air,
the Notes explain.

Accordingly, the Cabinet has decided to find an alternate space for that Court
and its staff and to have the Ministry of Works remove ceiling tiles and make
repairs to the faulty roof.