Panton Shows Up to Court Hearing Without Legal Counsel

This afternoon Panton issued a release under the United Democratic Party’s letter head. The release says “this order is strictly restricted to occupancy of the building and not a declaration by the Court on who is or is not the Leader of the U.D.P. The court will now proceed to case management and subsequently set a date for the actual hearing of the case at which time attorneys for Hon. Panton and Philippa Bailey will be heard”. Interestingly, Panton showed up to today’s hearing without a lawyer. She requested a postponement, but the court turned her down. Attorney Sheena Pitts also tried to step in as a friend of the court, but that request was denied too. Pitts later explained why Panton appeared in court without legal representation.

 

Sheena Pitts, Attorney at Law

“That is the thing, why we had wanted, why honorable Panton had wanted an extension of time, her representation is outside the jurisdiction and there are certain things that must be done in order to establish being able to be heard by those attorneys in this jurisdiction and that has not been done. So, what happened today is Honorable Panton from her own mouth was able to indicate to the court and advise the court to appreciate that this is not a matter of trespass, this is a matter of the convention. That is why the court was very clear in saying that both parties must participate and assist the court in identifying what the real issue is.”