A High Court judge has recused herself from a civil lawsuit in the Supreme Court of Barbados because she also intends to take legal action against the defendant.
In what could be a first in Barbados’ judicial system, Justice Elneth Kentish yesterday removed herself from the case Coach House Limited versus Joseph Jordan III, informing the No. 12 Supreme Court that she had referred the case to Chief Justice Marston Gibson for a new date because she would also be commencing litigation against Jordan.
The judge’s decision is based on the contents of a letter Jordan wrote to the Chief Justice and copied to local and international media organizations (CNN and Fox News). This letter contained what she deemed to be scurrilous statements which referred directly to her.
On July 5, Justice Kentish had ordered Jordan not to trespass on the property from which The Beach House operates, and/or not to approach or remain within 50 metres of the establishment. This was after Coach House Limited (which operates as The Beach House) had started proceedings against the businessman, also seeking damages.
But on October 18, Jordan had called the media to The Beach House property on Sunset Crest, St James, and instructed workmen to remove a large iron gate, claiming it was blocking access to the nearby beach. A story of the incident was published in WEEKEND NATION the following day.
