Civil Case Heard by Teleconference
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Civil Case Heard by Teleconference |
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EASTERN CARIBBEAN SUPREME COURT PRESS RELEASE Contact: Ianthea E. Leigertwood-Octave Thursday, 19 February 2004 - History was created in the Eastern Caribbean earlier this month, when an appeal in a civil case was heard and determined by teleconference, in record time. Justice of Appeal Honourable Adrian Saunders and acting Justice of Appeal Honourable Michael Gordon presided over the procedural appeal of the Attorney General of St. Christopher and Nevis against the decision of a Judge last month to disallow a witness’ statement into evidence in a civil case. The ruling of the Justices of Appeal within three days of the filing by the Attorney General, allowed hearing of the case itself to begin on schedule. The appeal filed on February 4, 2004 was heard two days later when it was dismissed. The entire process was conducted via the telephone with all parties contributing to the deliberations. Counsel cooperated with the process by sending written submissions [by fax] before the hearing commenced. Commenting on the case, Chief Justice Sir Dennis Byron said: “What it all meant is that we were able to dispose of a case without going into a courtroom and this is a novel way of reaching judicial decisions as far as the Eastern Caribbean court is concerned”. Sir Dennis made the point that normally an appeal in a civil case would take several months before it is heard, but on this occasion Justices of Appeal were able to hear the case within two days of it being filed in the Court. Sir Dennis has pioneered tele- and video conferencing in the work of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court as part of a wider process of reforms being introduced into the court system. |
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