The State has less than a week to put in a defense to a lawsuit brought by Chief Magistrate Patricia Mark against the Keith Mitchell-led New National Party (NNP) over the manner in which it was attempting to remove her from the post.
Informed sources told GRENADA TODAY that the Attorney-General's Chambers has not filed the relevant papers at the Supreme Court Registry in response to the claim made by attorney-at-law, Dr. Francis Alexis who has been retained by the Chief Magistrate.
A source who spoke on condition that he was not named said that the NNP regime was taken by surprise at the decision of Mark
to take the matter to court.
He said that government is interested in working out a compromise with Mark and to avoid another legal battle in court.
As part of the deal, he said the regime was willing to create a new legal posting for the Chief Magistrate and to reward her with a substantial financial package.
If the court rules in favour of the Chief Magistrate, she might be awarded a huge sum of money at the expense of taxpayers.
The source declined to comment on whether any emissaries acting on behalf of the Mitchell government have been despatched to meet with Mark in order to seek a resolution to the issue.
May 8 is the date set for the Patricia Mark hearing before one of the two high court judges on the island.
The Chief Magistrate decided to mount a legal challenge to the manner in which the Mitchell government was seeking to remove her from the bench after she attained the age of retirement.
She was reportedly incensed after receiving a letter, dated April 1, 2008 from Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Ruth Rouse advising her that she should proceed on holiday in May and at the end take her retirement.
Mark is said to be concerned about her retirement package from the State.
Legal sources told this newspaper that the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC) and not the Public Service Commission (PSC) that is the body responsible for the hiring and removal of judges and magistrates on the island.
