Supreme Court of Judicature suspends all ‘in-person’ hearings

In light of the COVID-19 threats, the Supreme Court of Judicature announced that all ‘in-person’ hearings are suspended with immediate effect until further notice.

In a release on Friday, the Supreme Court of Judicature stated that the operation of the Supreme Registries, Court Offices and departments will be open to the public between 08:30h and 12:30h on April 7, 9,14,16, 20 and 24, 2020.
Further, the Supreme Court stated that filing of urgent matters, or pleadings for the Court of Appeal and High Courts as directed by the court, must be done by email in accordance with paragraphs 30-33 of the Emergency Practice Directions.
“In consonance with Part 7:02 of the Civil Procedure Rules, 2016, all Fixed Date Applications must be served by the applicants,” the release stated.

Magistrates’ Courts
The Magistrates’ Courts will hear cases and its offices will be open to the public from 08:30h to 12.30h.
In reference to the filing of cases, all urgent court matters must be done on the dates in which the court offices will be open.
In the event of urgent matters, contact can be made with the clerks of court for the particular magisterial districts.
The court has also made a decision to suspend the mediation sessions and the supervised visits at the child-friendly room of the High Court, Demerara, until further notice.
During this period, the court is urging for access visits to be arranged by counsel and/or the parties utilising the telephone or electronic means such as WhatsApp, Zoom, FaceTime, and Skype.