LEGAL BIND

By Maria Bradshaw mariabradshaw@nationnews. com

A senior High Court judge is claiming she has been locked out of her office under conditions tantamount to a summary dismissal.

Reports indicate that Justice Dr Sonia Richards, who has been a judge for the past 16 years, has not been able to gain access to her office located on the third floor of the Supreme Court Complex because the locks have been changed and the office was being occupied by Justice Westmin James, who was installed two weeks ago as a temporary judge.

Swipe deactivated

Reports further indicate that her electronic swipe has been deactivated and as a result, she was only able to gain entrance into the Supreme Court building last week with assistance from other court staff, including security personnel.

The action has resulted in the 66-year-old judge, who is on pre-retirement leave and who had still been utilising her office until she officially retires in May, to seek legal advice.

Her attorney, Queen’s Counsel Garth Patterson, has written to President The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, and copied it to Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Attorney General Dale Marshall and Chief Justice Sir Patterson Cheltenham, asking for the judge to be reinstated to her office, as well as unimpeded access to the Supreme Court building and monetary compensation as a result of the embarrassing action.

When contacted about the situation yesterday, the Chief Justice told the Sunday Sun: “She never was and is not locked out and the judge is not in her room. I can attest to that.”

Justice Richards was reluctant to speak and directed queries to her attorney.

When reached, Patterson said: “I can confirm that I have been approached by Dr the Honourable Sonia Richards to represent her in connection with a matter related to her office as a judge, but having regard to the sensitivity of the matter and the honour and the dignity of the courts, I wouldn’t wish to comment further.”

A highly-placed legal source said the situation had left staff at the court in shock.

“This is the first time in living memory that we have had a situation where a judge has been basically locked out of office before they officially retire. The practice in Barbados is that judges have had access to their offices to complete judgements and other outstanding legal matters before they go on retirement. This does not bode well for the judiciary,” the source said.

It is understood that

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Justice Richards began her pre-retirement leave at the beginning of February and was still performing the duties of a High Court judge as she continued to hear cases, render decisions and write judgements, and that her name also appeared on the daily court list.

Sources pointed out that it was usually customary for judges to be given a two-year extension to complete their outstanding matters but she was only given one year.

Sunday Sun

investigations revealed that two weeks ago the judge received a directive requesting she return her swipe card and the keys to her chambers “as a matter of urgency”.

Informed sources said Justice Richards responded to the email indicating that she was still a judge and utilising her office, and requested a meeting with the Chief Justice to discuss the matter.

Personnel at the Registry said the new judge was sworn in last week and a memo circulated to other judges indicating his acting appointment.

Sources further revealed that on April 12, when she attended the Whitepark, St Michael court, she was able to gain access to the underground parking with her swipe key, but could not access the court building, neither her office, and had to seek assistance from security personnel who informed her that the lock to her office had been changed.