Judges to rule in Budget Cuts case on November 11

Criminal-JusticeGeorgetown: A decision by Justices James Bovell-Drakes and Rishi Persaud has been taken to rule on the Budget Cuts case on November 11, 2013 after listening to two hours of arguments by attorneys yesterday.   

Government had taken the Opposition to court following the slashing of the 2012 National Budget by $20.9 billion claiming it was unconstitutional.

An appeal in the Budget Cuts Case was filed by Leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), David Granger against a decision taken by Chief Justice Ian Chang to exclude him from the hearings.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who is representing the Government along with Attorneys-at-Law Safraz Hussein and Ariana McLean, argued that the case presents what he believes was a ‘strange situation’.

Both parties following the hearing registered their confidence and optimism that the court will rule in their favor on November 11.

On June 19, Chief Justice Ian Chang took the decision to strike out the Opposition Leader as well as Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh as defendants in the 2012 Budget cuts case, on the basis that, as members of Parliament, the constitution provides immunity.