A recent strike by jurors has resulted in the adjournment of all indictable cases, including murder trials, at the High Courts.
The strike, which began on May 16, affects cases requiring jury presence, due to unpaid allowances for transportation, court attendance, and sitting over the past 10 months.
In a letter dated May 16, 2024, criminal judges informed the Court Manager of the Law Court Complex and the Judicial Secretary that jurors are absent from jury duties due to unpaid allowances from February 2023 to May 2024.
The letter, sighted by (link unavailable), states that jurors can no longer pre-finance their transportation to and from court premises, having been promised payment in May, only to be told that funds are unavailable.
As a result, all cases involving jurors have been adjourned indefinitely, causing inconvenience to the expeditious delivery of justice.
According to EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, the strike has brought all jury trials to a halt until further notice.
