BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 15th November 2019)-Well-known public figures Lindsay Grant and Jonel Powell, who are both lawyers of the law firm Grant, Powell & Co. caught up in the December 2017 misappropriating client’s funds filed matter, want to get a decision reversed after a 28th October 2019 dated document ruling by Justice Eddy Ventose at the high court has not gone in their favour.
Such latest details concerning this matter has been publicised this week, causing widespread debate.
Both men (Grant and Powell-the defendants) are claiming innocence in the case with plans to appeal the judge’s decision which involves claimant Tanzania Tobing Tanzil whom they have been ordered to pay $750 in costs within a 14-day period while the hearing for the assessment of damages is slated take place on 12th December 2019.
A press statement issued by VhCommunications on behalf of Powell, Grant & Co. on Wednesday 13th November reads: “We, the partners of Grant, Powell & Co., Mr. Lindsay Grant (on sabbatical) and Mr. Jonel Powell comprehensively deny all and every allegation of wrong doing in the above cited claim. We continue to vigorously defend this matter and will do so to the full extent of the law. The recent judgement in default in this matter is being appealed. As this matter remains in the jurisdiction of the Court it would be inappropriate to make any further statement in the circumstances, save to say that we expect to be fully vindicated at the end of this process. Grant, Powell & Co. always serves its clients with the highest levels ethics and professionalism in the pursuit of the rule of law and continues to do so.”
At the end of the letter, the individual signatures of Powell and Grant are included.
As understood from official court document details, the matter surrounds that which the Claimant on 22 December 2017 filed a claim against the Defendants seeking an order that the Defendants have breached their fiduciary duty and/or their duty of trust owed to the Claimant as his Solicitors and escrow agents and/or acted fraudulently in receiving, using and/or failing to account for the sum of US$460,000.00 which was transferred to the Defendants’ bank account at First Caribbean International Bank (Barbados) Limited, Basseterre branch in Saint Kitts, in or about May 2013, for the specific purpose namely, to purchase a condominium unit under the Citizenship By Investment Programme, and secure title to the property.
As further gleaned from the documents: On 16 October 2018, the Defendants filed an application with supporting affidavit to set aside the default judgment. On 11 February 2019, the court determined the terms of the default judgment and ordered the Defendants to pay damages to be assessed by the court. The Defendants filed an application with supporting affidavit to stay the court order of 11 February 2019. On 19 July 2019, the court gave directions for filing submissions and authorities on the application to set aside default judgment with a hearing date of 26 September 2019.
Justice Ventose, as part of his orders in the matter, has indicated that: The application to set aside default judgment is hereby refused, The Claimant shall file and serve witness statements, submissions and authorities in respect of the assessment of damages within 21 days of today’s date, The Defendants, if interested in participating in the assessment of damages, shall file and serve Form 31 within 7 days of service by the Claimant and shall comply with CPR 12.13 and 16.2 and The hearing of the assessment of damages shall take place on 12 December 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
Representing Tanzil in this court matter were Sylvester Anthony, Angelina Gracey Sookoo Bobb and Renal Edwards while the legal counsel for the Grant, Powell & Co. pair was Brian Barnes.