Privy Council orders Linton to pay court cost of over £45,000 to Pinard-Byrne

Kieron Pinard-Byrne (left), Lennox Linton

The London-based Privy Council has awarded court cost of over £45,000 to chartered accountant Kieron Pinard-Byrne to be paid by Lennox Linton in the decade-old defamation court matter between them.

Attorney representing Pinard-Byrne in the matter, Tony Astaphan, made the announcement on state-owned DBS Radio on Thursday morning.

“By certified order of April 27, 2017, the registrar of the Privy Council has indicated the Privy Council has assessed the court order on the standard basis and on the sum of £45,992.19 (approximately EC$160,128.22) which Mr. Linton will now have to pay to Mr. Kieron Pinard-Byrne,” he stated.

Astaphan said that there is no deadline and Linton must pay immediately.

“You must pay it now,” he stated adding that Pinard-Byrne will be at liberty to enforce the order against Linton in the local courts.

“It’s an obligation that has to be paid immediately, there is no time,” Astaphan stated.

He noted if the matter is not settled and knowing Pinard-Byrne as he does, “he will probably seek an order of the court to have it enforced or to levy execution on any asset Mr. Lennox Linton may have, whatever that asset may be.”

Astaphan described the ruling as “a heavy price to pay for lying.”

“I think that is right because that is the ultimate price you must pay for a smear campaign of lies and misinformation against the character of someone like Mr. Pinard-Byrne and the same principles will apply to any judgement or order of cost should a minister or Prime Minister wins a case against Mr. Lennox Linton or Thomson Fontaine,” he stated.

Pinard-Byrne had originally demanded $340,926.39 in court costs.

The matter centers around the Layou River Economic Citizenship Program and the Layou River Hotel project and goes back to 2002 when Pinard-Byrne sued Linton because of an article he published on a website and statements made about the same program on a radio show, on which Linton, who was a journalist then, was a guest.

In his suit, Pinard-Byrne said he was libeled by Linton.

In March 2011, the High Court in Dominica ruled in favor of Pinard-Byrne.

The matter was taken to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) in March 2013 and the High Court’s decision was reversed with a ruling in Linton’s favor.

The ECSC, in its ruling, said its decision was based on ‘qualified privilege.’

Qualified privilege gives the press some level of immunity from defamation charges for statements made in good faith, unless it can be proven it was done with malice.

Immediately after the ruling, Astaphan, took the matter to the Privy Council since, according to him, the ECSC’s ruling had narrowed the issue of qualified privilege ‘much too much.’

When the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court of Appeal met in Dominica in March 2014, the judges granted leave to Pinard-Byrne to take the matter to the Privy Council after Astaphan said his client had fully complied with all the rules as laid down by the court of appeal.

The Privy Council ruled in favor of Pinard-Byrne saying he was indeed libeled by Linton.

In its ruling, the Privy Council said that costs before the ECSC and the Privy Council must be paid by Linton.

Linton was ordered to pay Pinard-Byrne $79,324.86 in the same matter by the High Court in Dominica. The Privy Council had also ordered Linton to pay £20, 000 in court costs before the Judicial Committee.

This new court cost will be the final payment in the matter when it comes to the Privy Council, however, costs have to be assessed in terms of the ECSC and payment is still outstanding. 

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70 Comments

  1. UDOHREADYET
    April 28, 2017

    bondou bondou bondou wi pi ti whats is that!!… says Linton as he opens the letter!

  2. LifeandDeath
    April 28, 2017

    All I will say is all these comments here to Crucify Linton simply shows that Dominicans have a deeply seeded self hate, and in many instances it’s because of ignorance.. they simply do not know how hard they are being disadvantaged when they don’t stand up and fight injustice..

    Lennox have real guts to make such sacrifices for an ungrateful ppl..

    • Man bite dogs
      April 28, 2017

      @ LifeandDeath, let me tell you that Lennox, do not have any guts Lennox, is just dam stupid and that is all their is to it.

  3. annon
    April 28, 2017

    The level of critical thinking of the average Dominican is beyond my understanding. Our country lost millions of dollars and here we celebrate a man who was directly responsible for our country’s lost. Why??? simply because he was victorious in a court case against someone we do not identify with.
    In order words, because we do not like Linton for one reason or the other, we lose sight of the fact that this Mr. Pinard-Byrnes was in the thick of things as it relates to the disappearance of our country’s money (in the millions) with no hotel to show for it.
    I mean damn… it’s ok to not like Linton but when we celebrate his loss, in this case, we are virtually celebrating a victory of someone who wronged our country. We are simply celebrating a victory against our country… a victory against our own selves.
    Oh what a glorious day when the some Dominicans start to think outside the box.

  4. Lucia
    April 28, 2017

    All those saying let him pay don’t worry, we the people has his back, it will get paid………..However, some of allu quick to go and set up go fund me page asking for help, when needed. That’s why not all page that set up i donate too. allu too badmind…………………Karma……………………………..

  5. KiD ON THE BLOCK
    April 28, 2017

    Just the beginning. Lots more to come! Trust me.

  6. St joe massive
    April 28, 2017

    Linton must pay

  7. Let The Truth Be Known
    April 27, 2017

    What goes around comes around in time and two-fold. Some people do not realize that until it occurs to them
    Live in peace and harmony with everyone, whether you are a politician or not! Watch your language. The negative matters and untruth stated will one day return to hunt those who do.

  8. Peeping Tom
    April 27, 2017

    :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

  9. God is Seeing All Things
    April 27, 2017

    all who laughing at linton now because he stood for Dominica remember to day is his tomorrow WILL BE ALL U OWN. God sees and knows everything. PInard WILL NEVER ENJOY THOSE MONIES. He cannot sleep comfortable in his bed and so is tony.

    • Dr. Hegarth Merriman, CSc.
      April 28, 2017

      When will you guys ever learn. The world is a fixed stage, remember Trump and Hillary? Now Americans are seeing that Trump is Hillary in disguise. Linton and Skerrit are part of Vatican’s hegalian dialectic – they are both playing their part. In the end, Linton will get in and Skerrit will go. But when he goes, he will (as Obama did) take all that he took with him and Linton will turn out to be more, or less his replica. All political leaders MUST join the cabal, if they don’t, they are wasted – remember our last 2 PM’s and the Hon. Dr. Patrick John? No room for rebels in the NWO, you either toe the line and enjoy the devil’s reward, or get wasted. Linton and Skerrit are the same. They are just playing out the game that has been dictated to them by their masters, who in the end are the servants of Lucifer on earth.

  10. mamzel
    April 27, 2017

    Oh God of righteousness and justice – arise and let your righteousness and justice prevail. Let us “man” know that you still rule and reign in the affairs of man and you are God of righteousness and justice. Just as you did back then Lord do it today – remind us that we are moral and you a righteous and just in all your ways.when the evil comes in like a flood Lord raise a standard – this i pray in Jesus name!

  11. April 27, 2017

    Can u all remember Nelson mandala from a freedom fighter jailed for over 20 years’ and bacame the presedent of South Africa’ LINTON WILL LEAD!! Can’t stop the time it has to be reviled

  12. April 27, 2017

    the uwp needs new leadership if it aims to win the next election. linton must go! he must go! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

  13. MR. PROLIFIC
    April 27, 2017

    Dodd! the only way to describe you is >A CRAB< they don't keep them in zoo, and don't matter how many times you feed them they still bite you. They kick your butt in Dominica, the same in Antigua.Nevertheless,you saved me $3,000.00 that was my contribution, as you said don't pay many thanks. Getting another Lawyer means more debts. Dominica belongs to England. I am leaving you in the capable hands of Fontaine.You are well and truly stressed out. You need to take care of some heavy old people. Nice to be nice.

  14. Sad
    April 27, 2017

    The irony to this fecasco is, over and over you have called for the demise of a person who has done you no harm. You have called for the imprisonment of a person who has worked for the betterment of the people. YOU have built up so much annomosity and hatred it has clouded your judgement to desern right from wrong. In the predicament you are in now, Lennox you need to do some self evaluation. Too arrogant to I AM SORRY.

  15. Voice of The South
    April 27, 2017

    Let him Pay – Let him PAY!!

  16. Gullible
    April 27, 2017

    I support Mr Linton on that cause but he was his own worst enemy. You cannot go to the privy Council Representing yourself, you are not a lawyer, respect the judges.
    Mr. Linton I’m not seeing you with all those lawsuits becoming the PM. According to Kenny Rogers you have to know when to run.
    It’s time to appoint New leadership that’s not from Marigot or you will get old in opposition.

  17. Disgusted of Dominica
    April 27, 2017

    This again has cast such a bad light on Mr PB. . Not a good look in my opinion.

  18. Lennox, I advise you to defy that court order!

    Dominica has long dropped out of the British Privy jurisdiction, thanks to Roosevelt Skerrit? We are now in the jurisdiction of the CC. I know some will claim that the case was heard prior to Skerrit taking Dominica from the British jurisdiction.

    However my contention is simply this; at this point Dominica is a sovereign country, a Commonwealth Republic, which is no longer among the British Commonwealth of Nations, therefore I do not believe you are obligated to honor any ruling by any British court at this point.

    I suggest you consult with some attorney who is familiar with International Law, and practice International Law, license to practice International Law to advise you.

    I a lay person advise you to ignore that redneck pussiet Pinard, and do not give him one cent more, let him stress himself out over his pay day, and die from his stress. You did nothing wrong, you had a decision from a Caribbean court you won, on a…

    • Continue:

      You did nothing wrong, you had a decision from a Caribbean court you won, on a technicality you got screwed in England. Ignore that crap, they can’t send you to jail anyway!

      If I were you I would simply declare bankruptcy: when one is bankrupt and inform those who have leans against them creditor have to suck up the lost!

      In Dominica bankruptcy is term “Receivership.” make sure you have nothing such as property in your name, because that will be considered liquid assets, and they may try and thief it from you!

      When I lived in Antigua, a guy owed me about twenty five thousand dollars in electronic equipment I credit him, when time come to pay the man file bankruptcy, when I got lawyer to sue man, lawyer me “if the man is bankrupt where is he going to get money to pay you?”

      • KaliBud
        April 27, 2017

        Just as I expected. A long convoluted bag of crap. U did not disappoint. U belong in a rum shop

      • winston warrington
        April 27, 2017

        If Dominica was no longer a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, what was all this ballyhoo about Baroness Scotland? LL can’t be jailed for his debts but his political career is over. There is much more to come. Poh fela!

      • A
        April 27, 2017

        If he declare bankruptcy he can no longer be a member of Parliament. What type of advice you giving the man. He has to pay or his property will be confiscated. Just send some of that money you have hiding for the man, and stop giving advice that will send the man to the poor house. Dodds, you can help out a Marigot man………. :-D

      • Ba Yo Bwa
        April 28, 2017

        Check your head, Francisco.

      • Man bite dogs
        April 28, 2017

        @ Fransisco, I must admit when it comes to talking crap you are fully blessed​ Keep on giving Linton, advice Tony Astaphan, and London UK will make soup out of him :lol:

    • Be Good
      April 27, 2017

      let him don’t pay and you will see all you do is run your mouth

    • Man bite dogs
      April 28, 2017

      @ Fransisco, you always coming over with your big American mouth talking dog crap how well off you are why cant you pay your cousin Linton, privy council cost in full for him, come on put your money where your big fat ugly mouth is…….. Hello darling Linton is waiting London is coming ???

    • Warrington, if Dominica was part of the British Commonwealth of Nations, The British Crown (Elizabeth) the one they call queen; would have a governor general repressing her in Dominica, the same as there are governor generals representing her in St. Kitts, Antigua: in Montserrat she has an administrator, in St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Grenada, and Barbados, there are governor generals.

      When laws are written in the islands mentioned, they are signed into law be the governors after consulting with the British. Notice; there is a Prime Minister in and a President in Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, also Dominica.

      Savarin does not represent queen Elizabeth, nor the President of Trinidad, and Guyana! Here is a clue research it you will find all of the police forces on the islands where there are governor generals, and Montserrat the police force on those islands are referred to as “Royal Police Force” of those islands.

      In Dominica, Trinidad, and Guyana, they are no longer referred to as a…

    • In Dominica, Trinidad, and Guyana, they are no longer referred to as a Royal Police Force!

      Have you ever wondered why? The question regarding Scotland, I am not going cipher that out of you, but I suggest you ask yourself how come Haiti is in CARICOM.

      And finally; in Tortolla U. S Currency is legal tender, they use the U. S dollar on that island, and not the British pound note, whereas Tortolla is still a British Colony.

      Now we refer to India as a commonwealth nation; and America, too. However, my question to you even if both nations are former colonies, “they are not members of the British Commonwealth of Nations.” So, read Dominica’s constitution, perhaps you will find something it that I don’t know how to explain it to you.

  19. April 27, 2017

    At least, he cannot say that he does not support and believe in the CCJ, the Caribbean Court of Justice; this time it is his good old friend, The Privy Council in England.

  20. lovejoy
    April 27, 2017

    The bottom line reads if you owe you must pay or face the consequence’s , there are better ways of spending your money. Lack of manners and respect for others could prove costly and this goes for all of us. It is a shame for a leader who suppose to know bettet,now we all have to suffer. Prove you are a man ask the PM FOR HELP. he has being whipping his boy for so long and now he is asking for his help to save his property and family. All the love we been showing now is the time to prove it. In Dominican language, one man fat and ten men smell it.

    • Let The Truth Be Known
      April 27, 2017

      What have you stated? Lennox made himself an arch enemy of the PM. Furthermore, the PM brought a libel case against him. More than one I think.
      Those who support him on this Website and on other Media outlets should assist him.

  21. shay
    April 27, 2017

    And he STILL don’t learn. Another fundraiser on q95 coming soon..lol smh

    • shay
      April 27, 2017

      I wish that fundraiser was for something that makes more sense…like my college fund

    • NLABOUR
      April 27, 2017

      But your PM still don’t learn. He is still in questionable practices.

      • KaliBud
        April 27, 2017

        Prove it. Like they just did

    • stupendous
      April 27, 2017

      contribute from the CBI largesse nuh. while we rejoice over the demise of Lennox and he having to pay for whatever technical wrong he may have been found guilty of the fact remains and it will not go away, that someone or some people made out with over 54 millions dollars of ours and I repeat our passport money. That to you and many is chicken feed, what is important to you and brings satisfaction to you and others like you, is Linton has to pay 45 sterling, peanuts in comparison to what cannot be accounted for. Now that is what we call gross ignorance and stupidity.

      • Phoenix
        April 27, 2017

        Ask Edison James about that! In Grace Tonge … it go!

      • KaliBud
        April 27, 2017

        What really gross ignorance and stupidity is fighting a battle that’s already lost. Just like the prospects of Lennox ever becoming a prime minister

  22. Dion
    April 27, 2017

    This is what happens and will continue to happen when a man allows his emotions to override his brains. The million dollar question is where this money is going to come from? A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good. Proverbs 16:29. 25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him. 26 If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good, surely to flog honest officials is not right. 27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. 28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. Proverbs 17: 25- 28

  23. nonamegal
    April 27, 2017

    Too much talk in DA and too little action. I really don’t feel sorry for the price people pay when they just talk, talk, talk. Step up opposition! I am not a DLP or UWP but trying to just be objective when wrong is wrong and right is right.

    • April 27, 2017

      I strongly support you sir and will keep saying this. I have no party affiliation but is disappointed in how the affairs of my country are being managed. However, a wrong approach towards a solution is equally dangerous. I have said before mr Linton needs to stop taking advice from fanatics and listen to sober minds. We live in a highly litigious world , unless you can prove something conclusively you should be careful about public declarations. The people who called you bold and brave are pushing you in the wrong direction.

    • Shaka Zulu
      April 27, 2017

      Agreed

  24. Me
    April 27, 2017

    It could have been worse. The exposure was worth every penny but we still have no Layou River Hotel. Who benefitted from all those millions? What happened to all that money? Those questions remain unanswered to this very day.

  25. Shaka Zulu
    April 27, 2017

    Too bad star!! The court has spoken. Learn from your lessons. Move on. Honesty and Truth will always win long after you gone. If you keep fighting for these principles then you fine.

  26. bigger
    April 27, 2017

    Way papa and there are more cases to come. There will be a lot of radiophons to come

  27. Brinsley John-Rose
    April 27, 2017

    too much of a long tongue for a little talk,we’ll see if he learns anything

  28. Real recognize Real
    April 27, 2017

    WORKERRRSSSSS. :-D :-D :-D
    Lets pay dat for daddy linton our saviour.
    Or his brother can give it to the lawyer in coins. :mrgreen:

  29. April 27, 2017

    hahahaha and he still won’t learn smdh

  30. MR. PROLIFIC
    April 27, 2017

    This is stale news, we knew he had it coming. This is the time we show true loyalty. % ,Viewexpressed ,we cannot let our man down. Call Fontaine back. Nccu is good and generous. Dodd keep us informed, pay generously ,turn more old Americans, we need the money. FOREIGN MINISTER pending. I was looking for it ,on video, in the roro they cached me with my pants down.

    • KaliBud
      April 27, 2017

      Boy Dodds gonna write a long valueless essay on how de court wrong. But before he start, lemme just remind him that’s the FINAL decision. And I know DNO will allow him to call people all sort of obscene names. So I await.

  31. Joe
    April 27, 2017

    Lennox i must say took the right decision to ask the Council to review the cost presented by KPB, it saved him approximately 50k pounds…. Well done sir.

    However $160k is still a mountain to climb so i guess your usual followers will come in to your rescue… good luck with that!!!!

    • A
      April 27, 2017

      Don’t forget that what KPB was asking for included cost at the appeals court level, that has not yet been decided. Now does this £45000.00 include the £20000.00 LL has already paid?

    • Politics of Truth
      April 27, 2017

      Theres more DNO. Do the proper research. The cost to the Court of Appeal is pending.

  32. April 27, 2017

    We never took libel seriously, but times have changed and we are into the real world now. These days, if you assassinate an individual’s character, they almost always react with a lawsuit. Make this be a lesson learned.

  33. April 27, 2017

    Alas!
    Poor Linton (pun intended) 8)

  34. zandoli
    April 27, 2017

    Another radio-thon again? This is getting tiresome.

    • Let The Truth Be Known
      April 27, 2017

      :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Stay tuned for more to help the evil power of the tongue.

  35. South East man
    April 27, 2017

    Final payment in the matter? There are still outstanding costs outstanding Appeals Court of the east Caribbean. Remember it was Linton who appealed the matter and Pinard Byrne lost. Pinard’s cost at the East Caribbean Appeals Court has to be assessed.

    • KaliBud
      April 27, 2017

      No. If u read carefully the final verdict supersedes all previous verdicts and he also has to pay for the appeals

  36. Dante Jones
    April 27, 2017

    If you all need any more indication why we need to abolish these vestiges of colonial authority well there it is. On another note this is obvious propaganda by the government’s legal camp to smear the man in light of recent events. Anybody who cannot see that is blinder than a bat.

    • KaliBud
      April 27, 2017

      So now de privy council involved in our politics. De man lose he have to pay for his mouth. Apparently he still hasn’t learnt this lesson.

      • A
        April 27, 2017

        The Privy Council was LL court of choice, they never supported the CCJ.

    • KaliBud
      April 27, 2017

      And by the way, we have abolished this court. We now subscribe to the CCJ….And uall vex about that too. Smh

  37. ??
    April 27, 2017

    Lennox don’t worry with them. Keep saying what you want and we will pay….

    • April 27, 2017

      Yes doe worry with them. Run your mouth from Marigot to Roseau..our pockets fat!

  38. KaliBud
    April 27, 2017

    I hope now that all will be a bit more careful in presenting allegations without evidence. As I’ve said many times, I strongly believe in evidence. Without that it can certainly be labeled as libel and slander. Having been found guilty if such, I can’t believe a word he says without supporting documentation. Note that any similar court action will be more difficult to get away from since there is precedence. And so I ask again: Is there any evidence that Skerrit sold diplomatic passports? Has any of the Dominican diplomats been arrested and or charged while holding a VALID diplomatic passport? If we cannot positively answer these questions then the UWP should cease from asserting such.

    • Peeping Tom
      April 27, 2017

      The UWPwee is not about facts and evidence, but about preying on the emotions and vulnerabilities of people; unless, of course, the facts and evidence are in its favour. Then, you will never hear the end of their story.

  39. Same old story
    April 27, 2017

    Get used to loosing Linton, cus there are more to come and more for you to pay.

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