The attorney general and justice minister, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne says discussions are advanced with the St Thomas Parish Council to buy additional land to increase the size of the property identified for the Morant Bay complex.

"We have advertised for tenders to build an interim containerised facility to replace the burnt-out courthouse, and we are awaiting the selection of the architects for the design and costing for the project", Senator Lightbourne said last week during the official opening of the Port Antonio Resident Magistrate's Court.

She said the original site which was bought to construct the courthouse was too small.

The Morant Bay complex is one of six parish judicial complexes which the Ministry of Justice plans to establish.

Ongoing plans

Senator Lightbourne said plans are ongoing for the establishment of regional judicial complexes in Montego Bay to serve the parishes of Trelawny, St James, Hanover and Westmoreland.

The Mandeville Regional Judicial Complex will serve St Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon while the St. Ann's Bay complex is to serve St Ann, St Mary and Portland.

Senator Lightbourne also disclosed that negotiation has started for a site in Montego Bay, while lands have been identified at the heritage site in St Ann's Bay for the St Ann complex.

The new Port Antonio Courthouse which is located in Boundbrook, Portland replaces the original 1895 historical stone and brick courthouse, which was damaged by fire in 2004.

In 2005, the National Commercial Bank partnered with the Ministry of Justice to undertake the project.

The new fully air-conditioned courthouse, which began hearing cases on June 1, comprises three court rooms, two jury rooms with kitchenettes, three Judges' Chambers with private reception areas, two robing rooms with private sanitary facilities for attorneys-at-law, a private secure parking area for judges and an area for staff members with cashier services.