Feinstein Group to Appeal High Court’s Ruling on Stake Bank Land Acquisition

The Feinstein Group has vowed to challenge the High Court’s decision that the government’s compulsory acquisition of 23.4 acres of Stake Bank Island is constitutional.

On Wednesday, Justice Rajiv Goonetilleke ruled that the acquisition, set to transfer the land to Honduran company OPSA, serves a legitimate public purpose and does not violate the Constitution. Feinstein’s legal team, led by Godfrey Smith, argued otherwise, claiming the move benefits OPSA in a private dispute. However, the court found no merit in their case and awarded costs to the government.

In response, the Feinstein Group stated, “We will not give up the fight for justice, fair play, and for what rightly belongs to us as a Belizean company.” 

The group claims the ruling undermines property rights and investment security in Belize.

“After carefully reviewing the judgement, our attorneys remain convinced that the compulsory acquisition is unconstitutional and not for a genuine public purpose. We have therefore instructed our attorneys to immediately file an appeal to the Court of Appeal against the High Court decision,” it added.

With Prime Minister Briceño announcing major port developments, attention now turns to whether Mediterranean Shipping Company remains interested in acquiring Stake Bank.

The Feinstein Group stated that it “will use all resources at its disposal to defend itself and expose the wrongdoing of the government, wherever it may lead,”