Cayman court ruling today or tomorrow

THE decision of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands on whether the tribunal will be able to hear evidence there will be delivered today or tomorrow.

The Chief Justice of the court, Mr Justice Harre, said the judgment had been given to him by the judge who heard the case and he would arrange to have it read out in chambers.

The judgment has been made by Mr Justice Patterson, who had been sitting temporarily in the Cayman court and who has since returned to his native Jamaica. It is understood it runs to about 20 pages.

The Cayman Islands-based businessman and former banker, Mr John Furze, opposed the tribunal's application. He argued that the tribunal was not a proper judicial body under Cayman law.

It is. thought that whatever the ruling, it may be appealed, either by the tribunal or by Mr Furze. The appeal court comprises three Jamaican judges. The process could take a number of months.