The EC$10 stipend jurors receive for lunch and travel on days they hear court matters will be doubled this month.
Attorney General Louise Mithcell made the announcement on Monday in her first address to the court since taking office in December.
Lawyers had been calling, for years, for the EC$10 that jurors receive per session to be increased.
Mitchell said the matter was brought to her attention recently.
“Jurors are essential to the justice system. Their decisions reflect community values, protect individual rights and uphold the principles of democracy,” she said during the special sitting of the court to mark the beginning of the law year.
“While jurors can never be compensated for their hard work and dedication, their efforts must be recognised. The criminal system depends on their impartiality and fairness in determining guilt or innocence,” Mitchell said.
The attorney general said she would be recommending to Cabinet that lawyers once again be allowed the privilege given to the legal profession to park in the Court House yard.
Before the Ralph Gonsalves Unity Labour Party administration blocked lawyers from parking in the courthouse yard in 2022, lawyers had been parking at the compound for free.
Mitchell, however, said they will now have to pay a monthly fee for the parking privilege.
In October 2023, the High Court dismissed a case brought by attorney Jemalie John (now a New Democratic Party senator) and then-opposition senator, now MP for North Windward, Shevern Lewis-John, challenging the government’s decision.
“I take this opportunity to remind you that the Court House and grounds are a protected national heritage site, and I ask you to treat it as such,” said Mithcell, whose work in the National Trust helped the 200-year-old building to attain that status.
“I also ask that you park only in the back half of the grounds, to allow for the limited green space in Kingstown not to be further diminished. Let us together keep this special site in the centre of town looking beautiful for all to be proud,” the attorney general said.