In a High Court hearing, Justice Rene Williams took an unconventional approach in questioning Global Bank of Commerce’s CEO, Brian Stuart-Young, regarding the institution’s financial stability in a case involving Canadian businessman Jack Stroll’s fund recovery efforts.
Stuart-Young was expected to address inquiries about Stroll’s finances, but concerns about confidentiality led to a request from his representative, Craig Christopher, for a private examination.
Leslie Thomas KC, representing Stroll, argued for open justice.
Justice Williams decided an oral examination might prolong proceedings, so Stroll’s representative was directed to submit questions by a deadline, with answers due from the bank within two weeks.
Additionally, the bank was instructed to settle Stroll’s court costs, totaling over $40,000, within a week.
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When I heard of the Judge ruling I laughed to myself.
I could not help but to marvel at the fact that when Jesus Christ returns to this earth JUDGEMENT WILL BE OPEN/PUBLIC and each person will answer for himself/herself.
All Praises to the Almighty God.
In most other places Justice Rene Williams himself/herself would be the subject of a hearing on his/her highly unusual conduct.
These type of rulings cause the people of the Caribbean to loose faith in the Eastern Caribbean juris prudence. The Caribbean people only hope to bring their case the Privy Council, even when most don’t have the resources to go all the way to the Privy Council.
Global Bank of Commerce is desperately seeking a Hail Mary buyer; and judge himself gave the Bank time to find a Hail Mary buyer to recapitalize the Bank.
Foreign Investors are looking at this case. What earlier look like a corrupt banking system, is now exposing a corrupt justice system.
ANR may say it’s unusual; but the fix is in. When Justice Williams decided an oral examination might prolong the proceedings it absolutely makes no sense.
What the Judge has done is to give Stroll attorneys two weeks to submit questions, when they already have their questions ready to pose to Bryan Stuart-Young in Court.
How can coming back in weeks with written questions be more expeditious when the questions could put Stuart-Young on the stand right there and then in Court.
What does a regulated financial institution have to hide from public knowledge?
The judge now give Bank and its CEO time to eventually go back and craft a bogus response rather than order the Bank to pay up.
Not one attorney across the Caribbean has the courage to call out this judge.
This bank is insolvent and don’t have the money. Unless they get this Chinese bailout the Government entity that is suppose to audit each licensed off shore bank annually will have a lot to explain. Those annual audits are to be available to the public under the freedom of information laws.
The Opposition is asleep; and only have time for political comedy on the radios; and the Ecumenical Society are praying over a totally current system.
It was the United Progressive Party’s news portal, REAL News, that first brought this situation with Jack Stroll to the public in 2023 and kept the matter in the public domain. Ask him and he will tell you.
Why don’t you have the courage to put blame where it belongs: On the FSRC for inaction. On the Bar Association for indifference. On the Bankers Association for timidity. On the OTHER VICTIMS of GBC for their silence…. And on the Minister of Finance for knowing that GBC was in deep trouble and yet allowing CIP funds to be deposited there until the bank’s problems “became public.”
By the way, this is the same judge who recused himself from the “Shugy case” because the UPP objected to him as the presiding officer.
Please don’t go apportioning blame where it does not belong just to appear “balanced.” Be fair.
Stop being hasty in your thinking and consequent comments and assumptions. Brian Stuart Young now has time to get accurate information from the Bank’s Ledgers (rather than say he doen’t know or doesn’t remember in answer to oral wuestiobs), on which he can be further questioned should his written answers be evasive. Stroll’s lawyer can also be more specific with his questions. The Judge’s directive should be looked at in that light
The client’s attorney should not provide any written questions and petition to have this judge removed from the case. Are you saying that will be no cross examination? What is there to hide?
@Casual Observer
Thanks for your response; and with good intent I hope you do not object to me to further engaging with you on these pages.
Asking UPP to delve into the issues, is not a lack of courage. Let me assure you your feelings are misplaced.
I have been writing that Caribbean institutions who are failing its people. The media being a primary guilty party.
Recently I commented on the LIAT (1974) and LIAT(2020) debacle. A subject on which I could have mentioned UPP needs to dig deeper.
My headline is:
“WHO OWNS THE 40% OF LIAT (2020)?
Minister Cutie Bejamin of crafted a law specifically to put LIAT (1974) in liquidation.
The norm in liquidation bankruptcy is that employees come first ahead of all others. Not Caribbean Development bank or any other debtor. That was a travesty and a failure on the part of many including the unions.
There are numerous issues with this specific bankruptcy proceeding; and while it’s not the sole responsibility for an Opposition Party; The UPP has a role and responsibility to raise the question as to why aren’t LIAT(1974) workers the first on the line to be made whole.
Currently there is a BIG issue not being addressed or questioned. Prime Minister Gaston Browne has changed his tune about the LIAT(2020) and Air Peace transaction. Only one thing remains constant and has never changed.
The ownership of LIAT(2020) will be 30 % owned by Antigua and Barbuda, and 70% owned by Air Peace.
A basic principle in business that even a child knows “Each party takes off the table a proportionate amount of what they bring to the table.” That is not unique it’s a basic business principle.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has been equality consistent in stating: The Caribbean Development Bank has the loan on the two airplanes that were in the possession of LIAT (1974).
He has further indicated he has worked out a roll over loan with CDB for the two aircrafts Antigua will be bring to the LIAT (2020) table.
We have been told repeatably, that Air Peace is bringing two(2) airplanes to the table.
Now if each party in the partnership of LIAT (2020) is bringing two (2) aircrafts each to LIAT (2020) company; who owns the 40% of LIAT (2020)?
If Antigua is only getting 30% ownership for its 2 aircrafts; Then one would reasonably think Air Peace is entitled to an equal 30% ownership of LIAT(2020)
Air Peace is clearly acting both as a partner and a strawman, (a fake owner for 40% ownership) of LIAT(2020)
We have also been assured by GOAB many press reports that the other shareholders Governments are out of the LIAT(2020) ownership, and they have all approved the loan for which they were partially liable; to be rolled over to Antigua Barbuda.
SO, who owners are the other 40% of LIAT 2020 for which Air Peace is acting as “strawman”?
Remember LIAT has the hangers and the other necessary infrastructure.
NO reason for Air Peace to be legitimately owning 70%
Time to get to the bottom of this Air Peace “layering’ and stop this obfuscation arrangement.
Antiguans and Barbudans need to know, who are the owners of the shell company owning 40% of LIAT (2020)
The Prime Minister Gaston Browne and his team published the 10 MOU/ agreements with China, a Sovreign Government. It’s time for The Prime Minister to immediately publish the Agreement with Air Peace, a private company.
@ D.Gisele Isaac
I hold no rancor; it was never my intent to be balanced by mentioning UPP. I truly believe UPP has been given so much to work with and they haven’t.
The ten (10) Chinees Agreements has yet to be reviewed analyzed with regards to existing conditions such as health and medical services.
The Medical Center is going to do AI research, when they don’t have a basic triage protocol. That’s like having a hospital without doctors and nurses.
What are we shipping to China, to justify the Maritime Agreement?
You write: Why don’t you have the courage to put blame where it belongs: ……….FSRC for inaction. On the Bar Association for indifference. On the Bankers Association for timidity…………deposited there until the bank’s problems “became public.”
I hope you will agree with me that Antigua and Barbuda Ecumenical and Civil Society are in bed with the ALBP.
They pray with them every week before they proceed to pilfer and rob the Country in the session called Cabinet Meetings.
Max Hurst no longer mentions the name of the Minister any longer once it was pointed out. I expect soon he will not in his briefings that there was prayer at the start of the Cabinet Meetings.
ALBP political culture is one of creating generations of Nepo Babies who makes up the elites and by default are the people who are normally the Civil Society.
They are enablers and not the mothers with hungry kids; or the young people who were never taught there is an alternative to the ALBP hustle.
The media has to bring to the attention of the public how does a democracy work; and gradually expose these undemocratic elements of the country.
I have never seen a more unbalanced ruling like this. It is obvious that GASTON and CUTIE have him in their pockets.
The UPP was right in asking him to be excused from the election case. WHAT A BRILLIANT MOVE that took GERALD WATTS, GASTON, CUTIE AND ALL THE MINIONS BY SURPRISE.
MR STROLL, IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO ASK FOR THE JUDGE TO RECUSE HIMSELF!!!!!
ALL A BUNCH OF THEIVES AND DECEIVERS.
@Ras Jus
Evidently you missed the complete reporting on why Justice Rene Williams decided on written questions, rather than the Coe of Global bank testimony in open Court.
Here is the backdrop.
As Stroll’s attorney was about to start questioning the CEO of Global Bank about what happened to his money; the Global Bank’s attorney objected on the basis: the presence of the media was not in the best interest of the bank.
The banks attorney’s objection was simply that there is a possibly that the media who was present, will write about Stuart-Young testimony and sensationalize his testimony in their reporting.
In a Country where even though the media borders on comical; the draconian law about libel keeps the media in check.
Given this is has become a national issue; its more reason why the CEO of Global bank should testify in public and account for Mr. Stroll’s money.
Justice Rene Williams decision had nothing to do with Stuart-Young ability to recall what happed to Strolls money. In my view the judge placed his hands on the scale of justice.
This action with a number of others by this judge; should be enough to remove him from the justice system.
The court session was for Stroll’s attorney, Leslie Thomas KC to question Brian Stuart-Young, CEO of Global bank as to what happened to his money.
As Stroll’s attorney was about to start questioning the CEO of Global Bank about what happened to his money; Craig Christopher, the Global Bank’s attorney objected on the basis: the presence of the media was not in the best interest of the bank.
The banks attorney’s objection was simply that there is a possibly that the media who was present, will write about Stuart-Young testimony and sensationalize his testimony in their reporting.
Any fair judge would have asked “Craig Christopher are you kidding me? Followed by: Mr. Stuart-Young please step forward to answer the questions.
This judge must be aware that the FSRC failed in auditing R. Allen Stanford. it’s the very same commission FSRC who once again is failing to monitor an Off-Shore Bank.
This matter is already a political sensational and unbelievable situation of National importance.
It’s even more reason why the CEO of Global bank should testify in public and account for Mr. Stroll’s money in public. It will open a window to what happened to other people’s money.
Justice Rene Williams’ decision had nothing to do with Stuart-Young ability to recall what happed to Stroll’s money.
In my view the judge did not just place his hands on the scale of justice; but is interfering in local politics.
This action with a number of others by this judge; should be enough to remove him from the justice system.
@D.Gisele Isaac: When Gaston Browne divulged your banking information,publicly.You should have engaged a Lawyer and sue his arse and the Bank.
You all must be reminded.The TAP DAWG did say,Brian Stuart Young is not a Crook.Joke of the century.
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