From as early as next month, the number of Computer Aided Transcription (CAT) Officers in the Supreme Court will be boosted.
Registrar of the Supreme Court, Barbara Cooke-Alleyne, said three persons were expected to take up positions in the court to address the shortage which resulted in a sick-out by transcription officers on Monday, March 2. Additional posts, including Computer Aided Transcription Officers, were created to assist with the additional courts.
Mrs. Cooke-Alleyne said that the names of qualified persons were submitted in August 2019 to the People Resourcing and Compliance Directorate (formerly Personnel Administration Division).
She explained that these persons reside off island and will be returning to take up the posts in April this year as they needed time to tie off matters and give notice to their overseas employers.
The Registrar explained that personnel to fill the void were sourced from overseas because the skill has not been taught at the Barbados Community College (BCC) for over 13 years. Attempts were made in 2018 to resume the programme at BCC.
“The reality is that the Computer Aided Transcription Officer’s duties are central to the Judiciary. When the court is finished they work beyond the time of closure; beyond 9:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, so that the transcripts are ready for the next day,” she said.
CAT Officers staged a sick-out on Monday, March 2, resulting in the No. 3, 4, 5, and 5A Supreme Courts being unable to function.
Only the No. 2 Supreme Court was able to conduct business in respect of Arraignment and Mentioned Matters. The other courts gave adjourned dates.