Members of the public were taken by surprise yesterday when they arrived at the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court (old court) only to learn that it had been temporarily relocated.
Apart from a notice stuck on the building, security officers were advising the public of the change and directing them where to go.
Talk had been circulating for weeks that the old court was going to be relocated for about a week but there was no confirmation.
A public notice about the court’s relocation in Sunday’s paper states, “The public is being advised that the building
known as the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court (Old Court), located at the corner of Knox and Harris Streets, San Fernando, will be temporarily
relocated to the Supreme Court Building, San Fernando located at Harris Promenade, San Fernando and the building known as the San Fernando
Magistrates’ Court (Madinah Building), located at No 7 Court Street, San Fernando from Monday September 11, 2017 to Sunday October 8, 2017.”
The notice further stated that the relocation was necessary in order to conduct urgent repairs to the roof of the old court building. “The Judiciary seeks
the understanding of the public in its efforts to provide a safe environment for all of its customers and staff, and regrets any inconvenience caused,” the
notice stated.
According to notice, the First Magistrates Court will now be heard at the San Fernando Supreme Court between 9 am to 4 pm.
The other magistrates courts, including the Second, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Courts, will be heard from from 12 pm to 4 pm Monday to Friday at the
Madinah Building. Cash services, including the payment of fines and compensation for those old courts will be done between 12 pm and 3 pm while
all other registry services will take place from 12 pm to 4 pm. Other cash services for the two courts at Madinah Building, including the paying of traffic
tickets, fines and maintenance, can be done between 8 am and 11 am .
