At the opening of the new criminal session of Grand Court on Wednesday, trial dates were set through to 30 May 2006.
The full calendar led several attorneys to express concern that defendants were being kept in custody for months awaiting trial.
Attorney Nicholas Dixey represented one man who has been in custody since June. His trial has been set for May, a period Mr. Dixey described as far too long.
Mr. Justice Seymour Panton mentioned a difficulty with granting bail to people who do not have strong ties to the jurisdiction. ‘When you entrust them with bail, quite often they take a trip and get lost,’ he said.
Attorney James Austin-Smith spoke next on behalf of a defendant whose trial has been set for April. He referred to the number of persons in custody awaiting trial.
‘For what it’s worth, I think consideration should be given to having two Grand Courts sitting at the same time,’ he said.
Mr. Justice Seymour Panton said it seemed they were approaching that stage. Another judge or two would probably have to be appointed.
He recalled when the Law Courts Building was first opened in 1973. It looked so huge and he had wondered why Cayman had such a big courthouse. He never knew he would live to see the day when it is now really quite small.
Now more facilities were clearly needed, he continued. Another curt building is of urgency. He was sure the Chief Justice had indicated that already. He was sure the authorities had that somewhere in the pipeline.
Related Videos
