The much-anticipated result of a court case concerning land ownership in Barbuda will be delivered today.
The country’s final appellate court, the London-based Privy Council, is set to announce its decision on the contentious issue of land, which Barbuda residents claim is owned in common.
The case was heard on May 3 and the Lords had promised a timely return of their judgment on this matter, which has been a weighty political issue for decades.
Member of Parliament for Barbuda, Trevor Walker, and present Barbuda Council Chairman Mackenzie Frank, launched the case against the central government in Antigua following the passage of the Paradise Found Act (2015).
The legislation nullified critical sections of the Barbuda Land Act 2007 which spoke to ownership of land on Barbuda.
Observer contacted both Walker and Frank for comment ahead of the 6:00 am delivery of the ruling, but was unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Attorney Justin Simon QC, who argued the case for Walker and Frank, declined to comment thusly, “Sorry, I make no predictions on any case matter in which I am involved. Having argued, I await the court’s decision, and may be open to making comments then.”
Observer will be bringing the very latest on this matter as soon as they occur.