THE recently approved vacation leave for Magistrates Sherdel Marcus-Isaacs and Rhondel Weaver has left Berbice with a lone functioning magistrate, Mr. Rabindranauth Singh.

From August 4 until August 15, he had to undertake the Herculean task of presiding in eleven courts, including further remanding prisoners whose cases are not up for hearing during a specified period.

Magistrate Sherdel Marcus–Isaacs, who proceeded on leave in mid-July, presided over courts in New Amsterdam, Reliance in East Canje, and at Sisters on the East Bank of Berbice. In addition, she has to visit the New Amsterdam Prison building, where further remand sessions are being conducted.

Her colleague, Magistrate Rhondel Weaver, who was granted leave from August 3, manages courts at Blairmont, Fort Wellington and Weldaad, all on the West Coast of Berbice, and at Number 51 Village on the Corentyne Coast. In addition, she holds civil court at New Amsterdam once weekly.

Previously, Magistrate Singh held court on the Corentyne at Albion on Tuesdays and alternate Wednesdays; at Whim on Mondays; at Mibicuri in Black Bush Polder on Wednesdays; and at Springlands on Thursdays and Fridays.

The new development has affected the smooth operation of ten of the twelve magistrate courts in Berbice. The courts at Sisters and at Kwakwani were not affected, as the statutory dates for their respective sessions were after Magistrate Sherdel Marcus-Isaacs would have resumed duty on August 18.

Magistrate Rhondel Weaver is expected to return to work on September 15.

Meanwhile, a senior police officer said the current situation is affecting the work of police ranks in the entire Berbice Division.

“The magistrate is scheduled to attend three courts per day. How much can be done during this period?” he questioned.
“The courts cannot hold trials or preliminary inquiries; those matters will have to be on hold. Basically, there will be just call-overs and guilty pleas. Nothing more can be taken into account,” he said.

Litigants have expressed disgust over the situation, complaining that they have wasted much time and financial resources to attend court only to be told they have to return another day.