Dear Editor,

IN this country, because of the absence of press accommodation in a High Court, I, George Barclay, a serving journalist, had asked Presiding Justice Priya Sewnarine- Beharry for permission to sit on a chair in her court near to the witness box.With one exception since the advent of reporters’ desks, all other judges had made a space available to me; and I was able to achieve my objective in covering the news. But having had cause to cover the case of double-murder accused Cyon “Picture Boy” Collier, which is being tried in Justice James Bovell-Drakes’s court, now being occupied by Justice Sewnarine-Beharry, and because Justice Drakes, when he was working, used to give me permission to sit there, I sought similar arrangement from Justice Sewnarine-Beharry.

Unexpectedly, she told me that this particular case would entail a lot of exhibits being displayed on the bar table, and she was not prepared to allow me to sit there, although I told her it would aid my hearing in lieu of the acoustics of the court.

Through her registrar, the judge told me that despite the decision she had taken, she would take up the matter with the Chief Justice, Mrs Cummings–Edwards, on her return to the country.

I must point out that the Court of Appeal is fitted with proper accommodation for the press. Also, the Chief Magistrate is equipped with such accommodation. And I must point out the remarkable situation that had obtained in the past, wherein all the High Courts in Georgetown used to be fitted with reporters’ desks.

I recall this situation had existed when I covered the famous case of Nazrudeen and Bowman.

Yours respectfully,
George Barclay