A fresh political row has erupted over the state of the Island's judicial system, with Opposition leader Pamela Gordon blasting Government for failing to live up to another election promise.

The row exploded yesterday after a lawyer in the Attorney General's chambers expressed his concern that there was no effective method of recording court procedures.

Prosecutor Patrick Doherty said it was wrong to expect trial judges to make detailed notes of proceedings when stenographers or tape recorders could be used instead.

When The Royal Gazette contacted Legislative Affairs Minister and former lawyer Lois Browne Evans to see when Government planned to introduce modern recording methods to the courts, the Minister insisted that the decision was in the hands of the Chief Justice and that politicians could not interfere with the judicial process.

But when it was pointed out to Ms Browne Evans that the Government's pre-election manifesto stated the party would install up-to-date recording methods, the Minister replied: "I wasn't one of those people who wrote the platform -- talk to the PLP chairman or Jennifer Smith.

"We can make recommendations but the Chief Justice has to agree, if he thinks it's a good idea. But he will then have to go to the Finance Minister and see if funds are available.

"It's certainly not a top priority within the first six months. Maybe by next year's Budget, if people keep the pressure up, it may get priority.'' Last night Opposition leader Pamela Gordon said the case was yet another example of the Government failing to deliver an election promise.

She also confirmed that a committee had been set up under the last Government to look into the matter of updating the system.

And she said Government had mislead the public by printing intentions in its election platform that were not a priority.

"All the Government has to do is allocate the funding,'' Ms Gordon said.

"There are many things that are not being provided for. Although a platform may set out the goals and ambitions of a Government they're things which are seen as a priority -- things that will be done as soon as possible.'' Ms Gordon added that, if the scheme is not to be funded this year the system might not be installed until late in 2000 or even 2001.

"If it's not in this year then people have a right to know when,'' Ms Gordon said.

"To put it in the platform and then find ways of hiding and moving around it -- some how I find that the Government is not being as forthright as it could be.'' Yesterday's row erupted after an appeal by the Attorney General over a ruling made by a Supreme Court Judge was thrown out of court.

The Attorney General's chambers launched the appeal after following the trial of a man charged with sexually abusing his niece.

The trial judge ordered the jury to find the defendant not guilty after defence lawyers argued that the age of the victim had not been proven.

But prosecutors appealed the verdict arguing that evidence had been presented in court that should be deemed admissible. Yesterday the Court of Appeal rejected the Crown's case saying because the evidence was not included in the trial judges' notes, it could not have been presented in court.