The High Street Magistrates' Court will shut its doors on Wednesday and Friday this week to accommodate a major national security exercise linked to Antigua and Barbuda's preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled for later this year.
According to Antigua.news, Court Administrator Nyron Frederick announced the closure will take effect on July 8 and July 10 to facilitate Exercise Stronghold, a multi-agency security operation currently being conducted across St. John's.
The temporary closure applies exclusively to the Magistrates' Court on High Street. The Magistrates' Court Family Division, situated at the High Court on Parliament Drive, will remain fully operational on both days.
Persons with matters scheduled for the affected dates have been directed to report to their respective courtrooms on Monday, July 13. The court is also urging members of the public who need to file documents or conduct other court business not yet available through the E-Litigation Portal to submit those matters by email to [email protected] during the closure period.
Exercise Stronghold is a three-day multi-agency operation designed to test the country's emergency response and security capabilities ahead of hosting CHOGM. The exercise has prompted temporary road closures, traffic diversions, and restricted access to parts of the capital as police, military, and emergency personnel carry out coordinated training activities.
Officials have called on the public to cooperate with security personnel and adhere to all traffic and access advisories while the exercise remains underway.
