The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) ruled 2-1 in favor of the three appellants who brought a  matter against members of the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) claiming that they were involved in treating leading up to the 2014 General Elections

.Attorney for the DLP, Senior Counsel, Anthony Astaphan argued for judicial review claiming that the magistrate had no jurisdiction in the matter.

The ECSC judges overturned the decision by Justice Birnie Stevenson and said that according to the law, the magistrate has jurisdiction to hear the case.

Senior Counsel Astaphan spoke to media of his intention to appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice(CCJ).

He said, “I have to tell you that I am extremely surprised at the judgment…but I haven’t yet read it. But my initial reaction to the Prime Minister is that we must expedite an appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as soon as possible because there was a dissenting judgment from Madame Justice Blenman. I am firmly of the view, even though I have not read it yet, that the majority is very, very likely wrong and needs to be subject to a review by the highest court of our land.”

The three appellants are Mervin John Baptiste, Antoine Defoe, and Edincot St.Valle who are represented by Attorney Cara Shillingford.Shillingford said that the court’s decision is a victory for the people.

“In my opinion, this judgment is a victory for the people of the Commonwealth of Dominica insofar as it underscores the principle that ‘no one is above the law’. When charged with criminal complaints, ordinary Dominicans must attend court to answer their case. It would be unjust, illogical, and unacceptable for elected politicians to disregard court summons with impunity. I am, therefore, very happy with the court’s decision and believe that it will advance the causes of democracy, equality, and justice in the Commonwealth of Dominica.”