Barbara Gayle, Justice Coordinator

A faulty air-conditioning unit is hampering the performance of Court of Appeal judges and their staff.

The unit has been malfunctioning since 2011 and the judges along with their secretaries and judicial clerks say the heat is unbearable in the chambers and offices.

Yesterday, they complained that they found it very difficult to work in the heat and were calling for the authorities to take immediate steps to replace the unit.

"The authorities are aware of the problem since 2011 and have failed to take steps to replace the unit," a member of staff said.

One judge had to leave early yesterday because of the heat.

outlived its useful lifespan

A report from an air-conditioning company in November 2011 stated that "the unit has outlived its useful lifespan and is now in a state of disrepair".

A copy of the letter was sent to the Ministry of Justice but since that time only minor repairs have been done on the unit which breaks down almost every week.

The cost to repair the unit with split units is estimated at $1.9 million. The estimate has been sent to the ministry and Court Management Services (CMS).

In October last year, Justice Seymour Panton, president of the Court of Appeal, wrote to CMS, which is responsible for the maintenance of the courts, outlining the "appalling situation" under which the judges, the secretaries and the judicial clerks have to function.

On November 12 last year, CMS informed the ministry of the situation but there has been no communication to the court as to when the unit would be replaced.

barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com