A Small Win for Feinstein as Compulsory Acquisition Halted

So, the Government of Belize will hold off on any further actions to compulsorily acquire Stake Bank until Michael Feinstein’s constitutional challenge is heard. While the Mediterranean Shipping Company, eager to buy the island from OPSA and develop a cruise port, might see this as a setback, for Feinstein, who insists the island is rightfully his, it’s a small victory. His attorney, Godfrey Smith, shared more details with us.

 

Godfrey Smith, Attorney- At-Law

“What happened today, all parties came prepared to argue the injunction. The judge suggested to the parties that rather than engage in a battle royal over the interim injunction that the government extends the undertaking again, meaning freezing, no action, they would not proceed to compulsory acquire until the hearing and the determination of Mr. Feinstein’s challenge to the constitutionality of the compulsory acquisition. The attorneys representing the attorney general consulted and said they would be willing to give the date which was set for the nineteenth and twentieth of December to hear the substantive matter with the undertaking in place. That means there is no need for an interim injunction because the state has said we will take no further steps until the matter is cleared up.”

 

Reporter

“So, with the compulsory acquisition stayed or frozen, is that at least an interim victory, an interim relief?”

 

Godfrey Smith,

“Well, it is interim relief, because you would recall that the prime minister, in one of his interviews had indicated that the first step is the first declaration, there is a six-month period to negotiate and if after that there is nothing, you proceed with the second declaration. The second declaration is what effectively vests the land in the government. So yes, in the interim we got the relief we wanted, no action, no further step to compulsory acquire.”

 

Reporter

“What is your client seeking, what is the end goal here for him?”

 

Godfrey Smith

“The end goal is vindication that the twenty-three point four acres standing in his name which was issued to him by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the validity holds title to it and it is lawfully his.”