ST JAMES, Jamaica – Over 68 court matters in the St James and Hanover Parish Courts will be delayed on Thursday as prosecutors have withdrawn their services.

The prosecutors are reportedly staging a sit-out to protest concerns over their previous attempts at meeting with Minister of Finance Dr Nigel Clarke regarding salary negotiations. OBSERVER ONLINE understands that two letters were sent to the minister on May 26 and July 12 of this year.

READ: Courts affected as prosecutors stage sit-ins protesting better wages

In a statement obtained by OBSERVER ONLINE dated July 20, 2023, the prosecutors noted that they have received no response to these letters to date.

“We perceive this lack of response as utter disregard and disrespect to prosecutors,” the statement said.

The letters, which were reportedly emailed, are said to have been copied to Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck, the permanent secretaries in the finance and justice ministries, and the Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn.

“Today, the prosecutors have called an urgent meeting to address our concerns regarding our welfare, well-being, and the way forward,” the statement said further.

President of the Cornwall Bar Association Michael Hemmings is throwing his support behind the prosecutors as he told the OBSERVER ONLINE that their concerns should be immediately addressed.

“The Cornwall Bar Association is in support. This matter needs to be resolved quickly because it is impacting the operations of the court,” Hemmings said.

He added, “Today’s sit-out by the prosecutors will cause delays in matters, and whoever needs to address these concerns ought to do that. We trust that there can be some speedy resolution of this matter.”

A breakdown of the matters indicated that among the affected are 28 cases before the Gun Court, over 20 in the Hanover Circuit Court, and 20 in the St James Circuit Court.

– ROCHELLE CLAYTON