When a Matter Starts

• Author: Nadine C. Atkinson-Flowers
• Profession: Attorney-at-Law
• Pages: 151-159

Summary

There is much to be gleaned from case law regarding the point at which a matter is considered started. An

instructive case is R v The Resident Magistrate For Saint Andrew And The Director Of Public Prosecutions Ex

Parte Basil Black Tyrone Chen George Chai And Edmund Thomas 

Terms _____________________

Trials

Committal Proceedings



Indictable Trials

Hearings

__________________________

Trials

There are wide and varied powers vested in the Clerk of the Courts.1 Regarding trial matters, the Clerk of the

Courts marshals the evidence in a summary trial and takes the notes of evidence.2

It is the Judge of the Parish Court who takes the notes of evidence in the trial of all offences on indictments.

For practical purposes however, the Clerk of the Courts also records the evidence, tenders exhibits, and

marshals the trial generally. As such, the notes of the Judge are duly signed and sealed by the Clerk as a true

copy if and when the need arises. These shall be admitted at all times in all courts.

Committal Proceedings



depositions on charges or informations for indictable offences triable in the Circuit Court.The Clerk of the





1. 

clerks of the courts





thus rendering the entire trial a nullity.







When a Matter Starts

Chapter 15