THE LACK of a Chief Magistrate is showing up a number of deficiencies in the criminal justice system.
That was the submission of former president of the Barbados Bar Association, Andrew Pilgrim, as he suggested that there be an acting Chief Magistrate so that lawyers would not have to traverse all across the island when their clients have multiple cases in different jurisdictions.
Pilgrim’s comments came after three clients he represented were forced to visit the District ‘A’ (Bridgetown), Holetown, St James, and District ‘F’ Magistrates Court at the Eric Holder Complex in Horse Hill, St Joseph in three days to have matters of a similar nature dealt with by separate magistrates.
Last month, Chief Magistrate Pamela Beckles was promoted to the High Court as a judge, but no one has been named as her replacement.
Please read the full story in today’s Midweek Nation, or in the eNATION edition.