Brantley, Richards Constituency Boundaries Case stayed indefinitely

Lee Llewellyn Moore Judicial and Legal Services Complex (photo by Erasmus Williams)

ST. KITTS, FEBRUARY 5, 2010 – The legal matter brought against the Governor General, the Prime Minister, the Constituency Boundaries Commission and the Electoral Commission to stop the use of new boundaries has been stayed indefinitely by the Resident High Court Judge, His Lordship Mr. Justice Frances Belle.

The case was stayed on Monday January 25th 2010, the same day of the recent general elections, when the matter was scheduled to resume after an adjournment agreed to between the parties.

The legal action was brought before the Court, to prevent the Constituency Boundaries Commission (CBC) from submitting its Report to the Governor General and the Prime Minister by then Leader of the Opposition and Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) Parliamentarian, the Hon. Mark Brantley and People’s Action Movement (PAM) Parliamentarian, Hon. Shawn Richards.

Once the Report is received and laid in the National Assembly, any recommendations containing changes to the boundaries and Proclaimed by the Governor General will take effect on the dissolution of the National Assembly.

Further hearing in the civil suit was adjourned to January 25th 2010, but with the announcement and holding of elections, the CBC ceased to exist.

The Judge made no order as to costs.