The challenge against a High Court ruling that gave the go-ahead for the Senate to meet and conduct business before all 21 members were appointed in March will be heard in the Court of Appeal on January 24 next year. Before then, Queen’s Counsel Garth Patterson who is representing the appellant, former Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite, and Queen’s Counsel Leslie Haynes, appearing for the respondent, Attorney General Dale Marshall, will have to provide written submissions to the court.It is understood that Brathwaite’s side had previously submitted a 63-page document to the Court of Appeal, but now has to hand in a condensed version on or before October 21. Haynes has to respond to that on or before December 16. Brathwaite is asking the Court of Appeal to overturn Justice Cicely Chase’s March 14 ruling that the Senate could meet with 18 appointed members although the Constitution refers to 21.He also wants the panel of appeal judges to stay proceedings in the High Court pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
