Night court for CWC period
Guyana Chronicle
March 20, 2007
ARRANGEMENTS are in place for a night court to hear cases that may come up during the period of Cricket World Cup matches here related to the special Sunset legislation in force for the tournament, acting Chancellor, Chief Justice Carl Singh said yesterday.
Effective yesterday, the court will sit until April 14 from 17:00h to 23:00h at the Providence Magistrate’s Court and the Georgetown Magistrates Court, Justice Singh told the Guyana Chronicle.
He said the special night court has been instituted for the period under provisions of the Sunset legislation, based on discussions he had with Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and Police Commissioner Henry Greene and under powers given to the Chancellor.
The night court, he said, will deal quickly with offences recognised under the Sunset legislation for CWC.
Justice Singh explained that if foreigners and visitors break the law, it is anticipated that dealing with those violations through the night court will not become protracted.
The Sunset legislation approved by Parliament last October, covers a $1.6M fine on sellers of “black market” tickets, and a minimum of $3.2M for those who violate advertising rules.
The legislation was enacted for Guyana to fulfil legal obligations in successfully running off the quarter finals of Cricket World Cup 2007.
The legislation is similar in nature in all the host venues and because the games are being viewed by more than two billion people, it is fertile ground for those not associated with the event to seek to profit off of it, officials have said.
The managers of CWC feel those who seek to profit from the event by using the official logo, or other signature statements and markers, would create doubt and confusion as to who really is associated with the event. By so doing, these would rob the legitimate sponsors, be they global or official, and those with licences to carry out certain businesses, of their rightful advertising and marketing mileage.
As such, the legislation states that persons who publish or display any advertisement connected with CWC 2007, which is false or misleading, could face a minimum fine of $3.2M or, in the case of a second conviction, $4.8M.
Persons who use the marks and other images of CWC 2007 without the necessary permission would be liable to a fine of $1.6M on the first conviction and a fine of $3.2M in the case of a second conviction.
Regarding traffic control, a person on a closed road (this could also be a footpath or a thoroughfare) who is asked to move and refuses, or if someone brings a vehicle on a closed road and refuses to move, faces a fine of G$800,000.
Items which would be prohibited from the event venue include alcohol, dangerous weapons and imitation weapons, firearms, explosives, knives, fireworks, flares, illegal drugs and narcotics, cans or tins, glass bottles and flag poles.
Items which would be restricted include balls, Frisbees and other similar items, bicycles, chairs, branded drinks and snacks, bands and musical instruments, unless permission is granted.
The legislation also controls airspace, giving the Central Aviation Authority the right to issue air clearance for a person to operate an aircraft within the airspace of the venue, as long as it does not affect the organisation and staging of CWC 2007.
It also regulates conduct, including entry and exit, into the stadium.