ACTING Chief Justice, Ian Chang will on Monday, February 2 hear oral submissions from Basil Williams, attorney for David Granger, in his capacity as the Leader of the Opposition, when the hearing into the granting of a conservatory order staying Government’s spending on programmes not approved in the 2014 Budget continues at the High Court. The hearing yesterday was adjourned after Senior Counsel, Rex McKay, one of the other attorneys representing the Opposition Leader in the matter, presented his rebuttal to the arguments presented by attorneys for the named defendants in writing and Williams, who is to present his rebuttal, requested the adjournment to attend to other matters.

The hearing is being held to determine if a conservatory order should be granted to stay Government’s spending pending the determination into a legal challenge file by Ganger. He has challenged the constitutionality of Government’s spending on programmes not approved in the 2014 Budget. The challenge was filed following the Finance Minister’s submission to the National Assembly for approval Statements of Excess for spending not catered for in the budget.
Justice Chang has already heard arguments from attorneys for the Leader of the Opposition who initiated the legal challenge and attorneys for the named respondents, Ashton Chase, who appeared on behalf of Attorney General, Anil Nandlall who is appearing on behalf of the Minister of Finance and Khemraj Ramjattan who is appearing for the Speaker of the National Assembly.