The Freundel Stuart administration is abolishing preliminary inquiries (PIs) in the Magistrates’ Courts.
Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite informed the monthly business luncheon of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Hilton Barbados Resort this afternoon that a bill to amend the Evidence Act will go before Parliament next week.
The announcement by the Attorney General to abolish preliminary inquiries, came nearly two months after Chief Justice Sir Marston Gibson called for such a measure.
When he addressed the opening of the 2014/2015 legal year on September 9, Sir Marston said the existence of preliminary inquiries had created a remand problem, as accused people were waiting years, in some cases, to have PIs completed in the Magistrates’ Courts so the cases could go on to the High Court if required.