Two additional judges have been appointed to work in the new criminal courts that should be operational next month, according to Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson, QC.

Maynard-Gibson told The Nassau Guardian she would not preempt an announcement by the chief justice. The Guardian understands that Cheryl Grant-Bethel, deputy law reform commissioner and Gregory Hilton, former acting magistrate, have been appointed acting Supreme Court judges.

During her address at the opening of the legal year, Maynard-Gibson said she hoped that 10 criminal courts would be operational by March. However, shortly after her announcement, all eight courts were unable to sit for the first two weeks of January because there was no jury pool. At the time, Maynard-Gibson said this resulted in "wasted judicial time" and "adversely impacted the administration of justice".

Asked if the problems with juries had been resolved, Maynard-Gibson said the matter had been discussed with the chief justice. She said the necessary resources had been allocated to make sure that the 10 courts will be operational. Maynard-Gibson said the courts may not begin sitting on March 1 but they will sit next month.

According to the attorney general, prosecutors have already been rostered to work in the new courts and cases were supposed to be assigned during arraignments that were held on February 20.

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