On 24 January the UK formally handed over two specialised court multimedia podiums during a brief ceremony held at the Grenada Supreme Court. The podiums, obtained through the UK funded Serious Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Programme (SOCAP), have significantly enhanced the operations of the 2 criminal courts since their installation last year. The judges, jurors, attorneys and members of the public can now better hear evidence from witnesses and arguments by lawyers during court proceedings as a result of the podiums’ features. As well, documents being used in court proceedings can now be clearly displayed. The donation of these podiums follows previous support given in obtaining video link equipment for use in the magistrates’ court.
The handing over ceremony was attended by officials and representatives across the criminal justice sector in Grenada. Among them were the Acting Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, The Honourable Justice Mario Michel; Attorney General and Minister for Legal Affairs Senator the Honourable Claudette Joseph; Director of Public Prosecutions Mr. Christopher Nelson KC; Chief Magistrate Francine Foster; Acting Commissioner of Police Randy Connaught; and Commissioner of Prisons Anthony Rogers; and Vice President of the Grenada Bar Association, Delonie Edwards. Members of Grenada’s Criminal Justice Reform Committee were also in attendance.
In his remarks at the brief ceremony, the Acting Chief Justice, Justice Mario Michel lauded the state-of the art features of the donated court multimedia podiums, that have been used in criminal court proceedings since June 2024, the Acting Chief Justice noted that the reports received indicate that the systems ‘have provided tremendous support to the court and have positively impacted the conduct of criminal court proceedings in Grenada’. The podiums, he noted, coupled with other technology currently used in the criminal courts, ‘will transform the criminal courtrooms in Grenada into model ‘high-tech’ courtrooms. It is expected that this will help to speed up hearings, present information to the court in a more clear and visually appealing manner and facilitate the accurate presentation of evidence from mobile phones and other electronic devices.’
Justice Paula Gilford, High Court Judge of the criminal division credited it for revolutionising the way evidence is presented in trials. The system has enhanced the quality and effectiveness of evidence presentation as presentations are more engaging and memorable. Additionally, witnesses are able to focus on their evidence and jurors are able to absorb evidence, such as photographs. Justice Gilford stated that the system has not only improved ‘engagement and accessibility for court users’ but has also streamlined the court’s own operations.
‘This is a game changer…and has been a shift in the administration of criminal justice’ – is how Mr. Christopher Nelson KC, Director of Public Prosecutions, described the impact the system has had on criminal court proceedings. The system’s enhancement of the jury’s experience and engagement which includes amplifying the sound of soft-spoken witnesses to being able to see the location of a crime scene.
Victor Clark, Resident British Commissioner to Grenada, reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting Grenada’s efforts to strengthen its security and justice systems, which form the bedrock of any healthy democracy.
