Judges of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC), now sitting in Dominica, have expressed disappointment and anger that a matter involving former chairman of the Canefield Urban Council, Simeon Albert, Maximea Powel, Oscar and Michael Copiel had to be adjourned to February 2017.
Albert had taken the trio to court claiming they accused him of theft, misappropriation of council funds: allegedly having given someone a project and paid him more than what the job cost, so that he could get the difference.
Reports are that the defendants failed to come up with a defense up to June 2, 2010, when the matter was brought before the court.
Consequently, Albert’s legal team filed for and obtained a judgment in default on June 2.
The parties appealed the matter and it has been before the court ever since.
Zena Moore Dyer and Cara Shillingford appeared in court for the appellants this week and said they received papers from Albert and his attorney, Lennox Lawrence just minutes before and they needed more time to study them.
Justice of Appeal Louise Blenman, sitting as President of the court, said they had no choice but to grant the adjournment but frowned on Lawrence for not serving the appellants on time.
The court, she said, spent monies and resources to have the Judges come to deal with the matter which she said was “straight forward” and now the matter cannot proceed.
“I am not very happy to have this matter adjourned…this is unacceptable,” she said.
Lawrence apologized to the court.
They were served at 8:59 am the same morning the matter was to be heard. It was not months ago but moments ago.
Why are the honourable Judges not angry about the abject failure of any one of them to deliver justice for GON and his wife? Why???
”they received papers from Albert and his attorney, Lennox Lawrence just months ago and they needed more time to study them.” If it is correct the lawyers for the defendants received the papers from Lennox Lawrence months ago, why are they not ready? DNO, is it months ago or weeks ago?
Make Lawrence pay back he is a waste of time
Country people and money
Albert you take them man to court for what!!!!!!!!
Politics and Curt matters have become a Soap Opera and a big Joke in Dominica. Senior, Junior, fly by night lawyers continue to take our constitution, laws and Courts for a big joke, created by this illegal, pappy show government. How long is nonsense going to last.
Let him pay costs
DNO is this a misprint? They received documents from Albert and his attorney months ago and they needed more time to review them, this have to be a serious amount of information. Just asking
Another classic case of the incompetents who are loyal to the regime….More milk and cheese from the DLP cow..Adjournment is a vibrant industry in Dominica.. seems quite useful financially to many attorneys and allowed by the magistrates and judges..
What is the significance of these statements..
“I am not very happy to have this matter adjourned…this is unacceptable,” she said.
Lawrence apologized to the court.
Lennox Lawrence should not be apologizing. He should be doing his work for his clients.