Chancellor of the Judiciary Desiree Bernard made the observation when the Court of Appeal allowed the appeal of former customs broker Laurence Beharrylall, and ordered a re-hearing of an action brought against him by used-tyre importer, Michael Pertab.

The Chancellor regretted that such a matter should reach the Court as lawyers for the parties could have arrived at a settlement. She drew attention to the efforts of lawyers in Berbice to reach settlement which, she said, has resulted in a significant reduction in the backlog of cases before the Courts.

Sitting with Justices of Appeal, Claudette Singh and Ian Chang, the Chancellor noted that while the Court cannot tell people how to conduct their business, it would be useful for them to do so by written agreements, especially in sale of goods transactions.