Stay of Effect filed on acting Chief Justice’s ruling – AG Williams

─ AG Williams had said that an application preserving the status quo ante [existing state of affairs], that the President and all Ministers of the Govt stay in office until the hearing, would be renewed at the level of the Court of Appeal

─ once granted, govt will continue its business until final ruling

DPI, Guyana, Monday, February 11, 2019

Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, SC., today announced the filing of a Stay of Proceedings to Enforce a Judgment on the January 31st ruling in the High Court by Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George.

The judgement handed down by the Chief Justice (ag) upheld the validity of the December 21, 2018, vote and stated that the Cabinet should resign, paving the way for new elections within three months unless an extension is agreed.

The AG had said that an application preserving the status quo ante [existing state of affairs], that the President and all Ministers of the Government stay in office until the hearing, would be renewed at the level of the Court of Appeal. He said once this is granted, the government will continue its business until the final ruling.

The summon by the AG states:

(i) An Order for an interim stay of the effect of the judgment and order (s) of the Honourable Chief Justice Madam Roxane George S.C. delivered on the 31st day of January 2019 in Action No. 2019- HC-DEM-CIV-FDA-22 until the hearing and determination of the Summons filed herein;

(ii) An Order for a stay of the effect of the judgment and order (s) of the Honourable Chief Justice Madam Roxane George S.C. delivered on the 31st day of January 2019 in Action No. 2019- HC-DEM-CIV-FDA-22 until the hearing and determination of the Appeal;

(iii) A conservatory order, preserving the status quo ante that the President, Cabinet and all Ministers of the Government remain in office until the hearing and determination of the appeal in the matter herein.

(iv) Such further or other order as the Court may deem just.

According to AG Williams, summon was taken out by Nigel Hawke, Solicitor General, Deborah Kumar, Deputy Solicitor General, Beverley Bishop–Cheddie Assistant Solicitor General for and on behalf of the Attorney General.

The Attorney General maintains the government’s disagreement, following the December 21 vote, with the notion that the 33-votes constitute an absolute majority, contending that an absolute majority is stronger than the simple majority in Guyana’s Parliament.

Alexis Rodney.

Images: Department of Public Information.