Justice Horace Marsh, who is presiding over the current sitting of the St James Circuit Court, yesterday expressed his unhappiness with the poor turnout of jurors for the 41 cases that are down to be disposed of.

After being informed that only 16 of the 53 persons served with summonses to make themselves available for jury duty had shown up and that some of them were asking to be excused, Justice Marsh, who, earlier participated in the traditional opening ceremony, made known his displeasure with the situation.

"We start with some obvious challenges; too many cases, too little time, problems with the number of jurors served and those in attendance," Justice Marsh said. "For those jurors who took the time and effort to attend, you are not wasting your time; without you a single case would not be tried in this court."

Justice Marsh also used the opportunity to urge those who are called to serve to do so eagerly as their role benefits many citizens and helps in the administration of justice.

Of the 41 cases before the court, 30 had been transferred from the Michaelmas session of the circuit court while 11 are new. Murder accounts for 18 of the cases and sexual offences amount to 17. There are two cases scheduled for retrial from the previous circuit due to the lack of jurors.