Shanique Myrie, the Jamaican woman who has accused Barbadian Immigration authorities of carrying out an unlawful cavity search and denying her entry last March 14, could be back into Barbados next month.
That’s when her case is scheduled to go before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
In a surprise move, the Trinidadian-based court announced yesterday that it would be holding its first sitting away from its Port of Spain headquarters, and Barbados would be the itinerant location.
“The move reduces the travelling costs of attorneys and litigants in some instances and, more importantly, brings the CCJ closer to the people that is serves,” a release from the court said.
It also revealed that the Myrie case was one of four regional matters – including three originating in Belize, Guyana and Jamaica – down for hearing in Bridgetown from April 16 to 19.
However, of primary interest to Barbados, whose defence team is headed by Roger Forde, QC, and also includes Donna Brathwaite of the Attorney General’s Office, will be the outcome of the preliminary hearing into the Myrie matter set for 10 a.m. on April 18 at the Supreme Court Building in Whitepark Road.
Legal sources say Myrie is entitled to attend the sitting before the three-member CCJ panel. Her lawyers could not be reached yesterday for confirmation of her making the trip.
Her legal team, headed by Michelle Brown, has applied for special leave to commence proceedings against the Government of Barbados.
Officials say if granted, the matter is likely to be heard in full later this year.
