Presidential term limit case for Feb. 28 at CCJ

The presidential term-limit case has been tentatively set to be heard on February 28, 2018, at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in Trinidad and Tobago.

The case was referred to the CCJ after both respondents in the matter appealed the decision made by Guyana’s Supreme Court to uphold a ruling that the presidential term-limit was unconstitutional.

The then acting Chief Justice Ian Chang in July 2015 ruled that the presidential term-limit was unconstitutional on several grounds.

Justice Chang ruled that the constitutional amendment, Act No. 17 of 2001, which limits presidencies to two terms is invalid because such a decision requires a referendum.

Attorney General Basil Williams and former Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman are named as the respondents in the original court action, which was filed by Cedrick Richardson, a private citizen, in the High Court just before the 2015 National Elections.