Gozo court move 'long overdue'

Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Harry Vassallo said yesterday the long overdue shift to new premises of the Gozo law courts cannot be delayed any longer.

"This historic building deserves conservation as a heritage asset but it can no longer serve the needs of the community as a court of law," Dr Vassallo said outside the court building in Victoria.

"While the workload continues to rise, the building already cannot accommodate the people who must attend court each day. The location of the courts at the Cittadella makes access difficult and adds to traffic in Victoria. The lack of space inside the building and the absence of any waiting area makes a visit there more than inconvenient, particularly in the summer months," he added.

"Apart from the obvious deficiencies in location and amenities, the law courts in Gozo suffer from a serious lack of human resources with staff at all levels filling in for the missing complement, Dr Vassallo said.

"The senior marshal acts as the maintenance man and marshals are employed as messengers, while the cleaners do clerical work and struggle to do their own jobs. The registry staff is made up of former postmen who have been demotivated by being kept in an employment dead end for years. It is only dedication above and beyond the call of duty that keeps the place going. In these circumstances it is inevitable the delays in the execution of warrants and the holding of judicial sales by auction occur regularly with serious effects on business in Gozo."

Dr Vassallo said AD fully supports the proposals made to shift the Gozo law courts from the Cittadella to the former premises of the MDP outside Victoria.