Court Building: Change To Security Procedures
There will be a “change to security procedures in the Dame Louis Browne Evans Court building to ensure we are in compliance with international security standards for buildings that house courts and the judiciary,” Attorney General Mark Pettingill said this morning [May 22].
Mr Pettingill said, “Currently we have a security checkpoint on the first floor where the Magistrates courts are located. Those entering the court must pass through Enhanced Metal Detectors [EMDs] to gain access to the courts.
“However, as of Monday, June 3, 2013, the EMDs will be moved downstairs to the ground floor entrance of the building.
“This is to improve the overall standards and efficiency of security for the building. The new procedures for gaining access into the building are as follows:
- Members of the public will access the building via the northern door [on the right side facing the building] for screening through the EMDs
- Judicial Officers and Practising Lawyers will access the building via the southern door [on the left side facing the building]. Judicial Officers will not be subject to the screening process but must produce their swipe cards to security for access. Practising Lawyers will also bypass the screening process, but must produce a picture ID for verification against a list of approved names
- Non Judicial staff that work in the building will also bypass the screening process, but must produce a picture ID for verification against a list of approved names. Clients who are coming to visit tenants in the building must clear security.
“I trust this new arrangement will not cause any inconvenience to occupants of the building or the general public as we seek to improve our standards when it comes to security,” concluded Mr Pettingill.
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excellent idea, now all we need to do is move the supreme courts into the magistrates building and that will dramatically cut security cost…..
i always found it weird that security was inside but who am i. anyway moving security to the entrance sounds good and the entire building is monitored.
Always thought it was ludicrous having security checkpoints and two (sometimes 3) security guards checking bags on each floor when having a security checkpoint at the entrance to the building would make more sense.
I was always curious as to why security was so tight in the lower court, but not the upper. I attended a case in the court opposite the Cabinet Office (the old fire station building) and I just walked in and up the stairs. No security checkpoint, no guards, no nothing. Not safe at all in my opinion, especially in light of the type of cases tried there. Also, I always think about when the divorce court is in session. All we need is some deranged spouse coming up there hell bent on destruction.