Gillette loses in Privy Council

In 2003, Gillette Marina sought leave to apply for judicial review of the conduct and/or actions of the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago. The company was incensed over the decision of the Port Authority not to award a contract.

Justice Peter Jamadar dismissed the matter on March 19, 2003. Gillette Marina appealed, but the Court of Appeal comprising suspended Chief Justice Sat Sharma, Justice Wendell Kangaloo, and Justice Allan Mendonca, dismissed the appeal on October 11, 2005. Gillette Marina then obtained and was granted leave to argue its appeal before the Privy Council.

The appeal was called on Tuesday before Lords Bingham, Scott, Rodger and Neurberg. A fifth judge, Lord Carswell, was ill, and no replacement was made. Gillette Marina’s application for an adjournment was refused and after further submissions, the Board dismissed the appeal for non-prosecution.

The Law Lords ordered Gillette Marina to pay costs from the High Court to the Privy Council. English barrister Rob Strang appeared for Gillette Marina, while Peter Knox QC and John Almeida, represented the Port Authority.