The Supreme Court building needs upgrading urgently. Jurors and members of the public have complained on numerous occasions about the "filthy state" of the building.

Lawyers complain that while they are waiting to appear in chambers they are left standing in the hallways and sometimes see rats scurrying along the corridors of the Supreme Court building.

"The problem with most of the courthouses is that they have not been properly maintained over the years and it is only when they are falling apart that you hear of elaborate plans to refurbish them," a lawyer said.

deplorable condition

The Supreme Court and the Kingston Coroner's Court, which is also in a deplorable condition, have become havens for pigeons. "The pigeons have taken over justice here and are really making a mess of the place," said a juror last week at the Supreme Court.

There is a large bundle of files in front of the Gun Court section of the Supreme Court building and on the verandas of the two main entrances to the building. The files have been there for some two years or more and are unsightly.

A problem which must be addressed immediately is the daily occurrence at the Supreme Court of prisoners bound for the Home Circuit or the Gun Court, under police escort, rubbing shoulders in the corridors with complainants, jurors, witnesses, attorneys-at-law, members of the public, and court employees.

The Supreme Court building, downtown Kingston.

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