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by pltm
(PLTM) - Several staff of the High Court Registry drew public attention today, June 26, as they appeared to be working from under a tent at the Sir Olva Georges Plaza, a short distance from their usual offices at the Old Post Office. Their usual office location has been a source of discomfort for several years.
Staff members wouldn't comment, and a Government Information Officer said that the staff members were undertaking a project. The officer declined to give specifics about the project.
BVI Platinum News was able to observe, and later confirmed that persons, including law firms, were conducting business with the registry from under the tent.
The issue of the condition of the offices, including mold, dust, and an outdated structure, including a dilapidated roof, has been a prolonged one, and government has been slammed for not giving the matter adequate attention.
When contacted, the Deputy Governor's Office denied that the staff is operating at the Plaza, but stated that they are working on a project and would not answer further questions.
Back in February of this year, Governor John Duncan criticized the National Democratic Party (NDP) for pumping more resources into the Commercial Court. He also said that they appear happy to spend money on the Arbitration Court, but there is a Magistrate’s Court which is not really fit-for-purpose. He had also commented on the situation at the High Court Registry. "We have had to move the Registry staff of the High Court into new premises, because their premises were not fit-for-purpose," he related in February. The Governor lamented, "It could be said that we spend more money on expatriate legal services than we do for our own legal people. I know that the Premier and Cabinet are keen to address that." He later exercised his constitutional powers, making government produce additional monies in the sum of $1.8M for the police force and legal system.
