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THE Court of Appeal yesterday deferred the hearing of bail applications from four people charged with murder, stating that the court must first establish a definitive, consistent legal interpretation of what constitutes "exceptional circumstances" under the new Bail (Amendment) Act, 2024.

A three-judge panel, chaired by Justice Gillian Lucky and including Justices Mira Dean-Armorer and Maria Wilson, noted a problematic lack of uniformity, observing that the term has already been subject to three different judicial interpretations since the Act came into effect.

Justice Lucky stressed that a consistent approach is essential to ensure fairness and predictability in the administration of justice.