Witnesses will soon be able to give evidence in certain court proceedings via audio and video links, thanks to a law passed last week in the House of Assembly.

Lawmakers rushed the passage the Audio Visual Link Act, 2017, last Thursday, suspending the standing orders so they could give the legislation a first, second and third reading, as well as a vote, all in one sitting.

“This is designed to bring the court system up to the 21st Century by the use of technology,” Education and Culture Minister Myron Walwyn said during the bill’s debate. “This is even more important and more pertinent right now having regards to the state of the territory, where because of the passage of Hurricane Irma, the courthouses were damaged and so proceeds are not being carried on in the way they should.”

The law could save money by eliminating the need for government to foot the costs for putting up Crown witnesses from overseas, Mr. Walwyn (R-at large) explained.

The legislation might also allow judicial stakeholders to bring in specialised expert witnesses from anywhere in the world, Deputy Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering (R-D7) added.

“In today’s world, where forensics have become the cornerstone of most prosecutions, we can access the best anywhere in the world with this kind of legislation,” explained Dr. Pickering, who also serves at the minister of natural resources and labour. “We couldn’t have done it before because it wasn’t there.”

The bill passed unanimously with amendments. Neither the legislation nor its previous drafts has been Gazetted.