year after the defendant claimed she was having difficulty obtaining bank documents which would prove her innocence.

Women's development group Akinstall International's founder Valirie Akinstall denies obtaining credit by false pretences between July 10 and August 5 last year.

Originally scheduled to be tried on October 4, 1997, Akinstall has received four adjournments for various reasons and will now be tried on February 23.

The Point Finger Road, Paget resident is defending herself in the trial but was advised this week by Acting Magistrate Archibald Warner to seek legal representation.

The advice came after Akinstall told the court that she was having problems obtaining certain documents relating to her credit history from the Bank of N.T. Butterfield.

Mr. Warner replied: "Maybe you should consider legal representation if you want to get these documents. I do not want to adjourn this matter only to have you return and say you still could not get the documents.'' Akinstall then asked the Acting Magistrate to give a directive to the bank and order it to turn over the documents.

Mr. Warner explained that he could not do that. Instead Akinstall was told that she would have to subpoena the bank officials involved and order them to attend court on the day of the trial so they could give evidence.

The defendant said this would not give her time to examine the documents and build a full case but Mr. Warner pointed out that she should know what information the documents contained.

Then he again recommended that Akinstall get legal representation noting: "It will be expensive but it will help you in the long run.'' Akinstall said she would take his recommendations under advisement and Mr.

Warner said he would adjourn the matter one last time.

"I will adjourn it but I do not want to go through this again,'' he warned.