Page 102 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat

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Roads. Tim Jufair Road and the Busateen Road wore rapaired and
resurfaced. A now motor road was constructed from Jcdliafs to Budeya The road
instead of following the coast goes in a straight line from Barbar to Budeya.

Judicial Department.

Bahrain Court. During the year 702 cases were heard by the Bahrain Court
and fees amounting to Rs. 10,713 wore collected in both Bahrain Courts.

There were few outstanding cases with the exception of one murder case in
which capital punishment was inflicted after confirmation by the Ruler. (See
“ Grime ” on page 12).

The estate of Shaikh Ibrahim bin Mohamed al-Khalifah was finally disposed
off. Two important cases were dealt with regarding the estate of Khalifah bin
Khamis and the Bin Jodar estate. In both cases the administrators were found to
have mis-appropriated most of the funds belonging to the widows and heirs whose
interests they were supposed to protect.

At the end of the year approximately 120 cases were pending. Six appeal
cases were filed and were referred to the recenly appointed Appeal Court consisting
of Shaikhs Abdulla and Sulman and the Adviser to the Bahrain Government.

A number of motor accident cases were heard by the Court.

The Bahrain Court now sits on four days a week, on Saturday, Sunday,
Monday and Tuesday, the Lower Bahrain Court and the Sunni and Shia Shera
Courts sit on three days.

Transfer of Magistrates. Owing to the departure of Shaikh Khalifah bin
Mohamed bin Isa to India for training at the Nasik Police School his brother
Shaikh Ali bin Mohamad was appointed a magistrate on the Lower Joint Court.

During the absence of His Highness Shaikh Sir Hamad on the Haj, Shaikhs
Abdulla and Sulman and the Adviser acted on behalf of the Ruler on the Joint
Court with the Political Agent.

The further developments in the case of the ex-Qadi Shaikh Abdulla bin
Mohamad Saleh were dealt with.

Bahrain Lower Court, The number of cases heard during the year was 562,
of these 47 cases were referred to Shera Courts, 10 were referred to the Mejlis Tajara
and 150 cases were pending at the end of the year.

New Regulations. A new regulation was issued regarding appeals from
judgments of the Bahrain Court. Previously an appeal could be made from any judg­
ment but according to the new rule there is no right of appeal in civil cases if the
amount involved is not more than 11s. 500 or in Criminal cases if the punishment
does not exceed 6 months R.I.

In the past court fees were recovered from the plaintiff in the court. Thi6
frequently led to unnecessary delay and argument. Court fees are now paid at the
time the petition is made.

A court register of criminal cases has been opened.