Nunavut court makeover will displace lawyers, accused

Courtrooms one and two at the Nunavut Justice Centre in Iqaluit will close between May 2 and May 27. That means many people who need to go to court during that period may have to attend sittings at either the Frobisher Inn or at the Inuksugait building 1106. (FILE PHOTO)

Nunavut residents scheduled for appearances at the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit may find they have to go somewhere else for court this May.

That’s because two of the three courtrooms at the Nunavut Justice Centre will shut down for the month while renovations aimed at improving security and efficiency are completed, an April 5 news release from the Nunavut Court of Justice said.

According to a schedule of court sessions included in the release, courtrooms one and two will be shut down from May 2 to May 27.

Courtroom three will remain in use but criminal court will be held at two other Iqaluit locations: the Inuksugait Plaza building 1106 and the Koojesse conference room at the Frobisher Inn.

But in-person appearances cannot be facilitated at the Inuksugait Plaza building 1106 for security reasons, the Nunavut court said.

“All in-custody matters will have to be facilitated by video-conferencing from the correctional facilities. If the accused wishes to attend in person, the matter will have to be stood down and adjourned to the next available appearance at the Nunavut Justice Centre,” the statement said.

The Nunavut Court of Justice originally said renovations were to begin April 18, but pushed the start-date back by two weeks.

The expected end-date for the renovations remains the end of May, however, an April 6 release from the court said.

“The court appreciates your cooperation during the renovations,” the statement said.

“We will be making all efforts to ensure the renovations are minimally disruptive of court process and appreciate your patience.”