Magistrates shift jurisdictions

Judicial officers in the Magistrates’ Court will be assigned to new districts come September 1.

The changes were highlighted in official written “confidential” correspondence to this island’s magistrates which were reportedly received today.

Among the notable changes, Magistrate Douglas Frederick who now presides over the No.1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court will be moved to the District ‘B’ (Boarded Hall) and the District ‘F’ Magistrates’ Court while the Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes who now sits at the Cane Garden, St Thomas complex of District ‘D’ and ‘F’ Belleplaine will preside over the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court.

The other changes: Magistrate Graveney Bannister will move to the Coroner’s and Juvenile Court; Magistrate Elwood Watts will sit in the District ‘D’ and ‘F’ Belleplaine and Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant will remain at District ‘A’ but will hear civil matters.

Magistrate Wanda Blair will sit at District ‘C’; Manila Renee at District ‘A’ No. 2;  Wayne Clarke at District ‘E’ Holetown; Magistrate Deidre Gay-Mckenna at District ‘B’ Oistins and Magistrate Allison Burke at District ‘A’ Traffic and Criminal court.

The changes were authorised by Chief Justice Sir Marston Gibson under section 7 subsections (1) and (2) of the Magistrates’ Court Act.