For the second time in just under two years, the dilapidated conditions at the High Court building in Kingstown have come into focus.
Last Friday, at the closing of the assizes, lawyer Grant Connell spoke to the issue as he addressed the court on behalf of the private bar.
The lawyer said he had gone into the change room — where lawyers put on their cloaks before appearing before the court — and he had to be careful not to fall through the floor.
He said that sometimes when he parks in the courtyard, he has to jump over “water that is coming from–”
“Don’t say where the water is coming from,” advised Justice Brian Cottle, who was presiding.
iWitness News understands that the water is coming from the sewage system at the 200-year-old building, which the government said in April 2018 was in urgent need of repair.
Connell pointed out that the bailiffs sometimes have to stand for eight hours.
Connell further told the court that he recently attempted to use the bathroom on the ground flow of the building but there was no seat on the toilet.
He, however, said that while many lawyers come through the court, nobody is talking about the conditions there.
“That bathroom should be fit for the bailiff, the prime minister to go in and sit down. If he (prime minister) can’t go in there, no one should,” Connell said.
He said that the floor of the courtroom is woodlice-infested, adding that he bought a new suit last month but had to revert to the old ones as it was ripped in the building.
“I don’t know why lawyers don’t talk,” Connell said, adding that some will “take out the violin and play because they are afraid that others will talk about tax”.
Connell, however, said he can talk because he pays his taxes.
He said that the authorities can offer paid covered parking in the court compound, charging lawyers EC$500 a month to help to raise revenue for the upkeep of the building.
In his response, Justice Cottle noted the role of the media in covering the court and said that he hopes that, through the media, the lawyer’s comments will finds their way into the public domain.
In July 2017, the bathroom of the court building, where the wooden floor was severely rotten, was repaired after iWitness News reported that a witness in a court case had fallen through it.
Never mind any of this Dickensian dilapidation Grant, we are off to save the world! One just has to laugh at such national folly!
Perhaps Grant you could join with the observation of Thomas Fuller, that English churchman and historian. Who is now remembered for his writings, particularly his Worthies of England, published in 1662 after his death when he says “A fool’s paradise is a wise man’s hell”!
honestly! come on learned men, do not accept this.
The money that the government had to repay CDB could’ve used for all these things
Grant over a year ago I fell through the floor in that toilet in the Registry which the jury uses also. I damaged my leg .i reported to the Registrar……….it’s disgraceful
I just love Grants comments about tax, because few understand the threat that has been used against lawyers to keep them quietly in line.
Grant Connell should be a Judge he has a wonderful sense of judgement and I doubt he can be b……
He also is very active in court and often offers his services pro-bono. He often comments on facial damage of accused that may have been caused by beating up by the police in the interview room or cells.