Bridgetown.
Magistrate Graveney Bannister recently expressed files concern over the lack of files in Magistrate Courts and is calling for a new procedures by the Police.
Speaking in the District A Magistrates Court, Bannister said there was no reason why matters from 2009 should not be without the relevant documents.
He also chastised lawmen for turning up on the morning of the trial and handing files to prosecutors, which then caused cases to be adjourned.
"If there is no timely disclosure of files, there will be no trials. There might be some mtters that are not so complex that the prosecution might be willing to start without a file but these are summary matters," Bannister said.
"Why is it taking so long, sometimes a year to get papers"? he asked.
Bannister suggested that lawmen who were buliding files, hand over what statements they have the prosecution, with a list of what other statements might possibly be added.
According to Bannister, that way the file can make its way through the channels.
"This waiting untilyou get a file should not hold up a case", he added.
