Govt mulls new buildings in city for High Court, Appeals Court, Magistrates’ Courts

The construction of new judicial buildings in Georgetown to house the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and potentially the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts is being considered by the Government as part of its ongoing and continuous efforts to modernise and expand the country’s justice system.

This is according to Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, who disclosed the plans on Tuesday evening during his weekly programme “Issues in the News”.

He noted that the Administration is moving towards the development of a single, modern judicial complex in Georgetown that would physically merge the High Court and the Court of Appeal in one large, purpose-built structure.

According to Nandlall, the proposed complex would be designed to meet modern standards and would include adequate parking and other supporting facilities. He also indicated that the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts may be incorporated into the project, noting that the existing building is no longer sufficient to meet the growing demands of the magistracy.

He announced these plans even as he noted that the Government will be making budgetary provisions in the 2026 National Budget for the construction of new Magistrates’ Courts in Wakenaam, Leguan and Orealla.

“Having built out those courts, we now have to concentrate on a singular model judicial complex in Georgetown that will house the Court of Appeal and High Court in one massive, modern structure with parking facilities, etc. And of course, we have to look at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts because that has also outlived its size,” Nandlall said.

The Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts is currently located on Brickdam and Avenue of the Republic, while the High Court is located at the Avenue of the Republic and South Road, and the Court of Appeal is located in Kingston.

The AG explained that the merging of all of these courthouses forms part of the Government’s wider plan to work closely with the Judiciary to ensure that justice services are accessible and equitable across the country.