Following its two rulings today upholding the motion of no-confidence on December 21, 2018 and declaring that the unilateral appointment of the GECOM Chairman Justice (rtd) James Patterson was flawed, the CCJ will hear submissions on June 24 from both sides on the consequential orders to be made.
Legal analysts say the sting of the rulings today will be in the consequential orders including the date for new general elections as required by the successful motion of no confidence and whether Justice Patterson’s appointment is null and void and he should stand down.
This morning, President of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Justice Adrian Saunders took pains to say that the two sides should aim to reach consensus but cautioned that in the absence of such there is room for the court to issue orders. Given the poisoned political atmosphere here, it is unclear whether there can be any agreement between the two sides on the way forward.
Justice Jacob Wit, one of the CCJ panellists, adverting to discussions between the two sides, said today that he was “hoping for a happy marriage between principle and practicality”.
