7News has been closely following the Oceana Belize's challenge to the offshore oil contracts which were issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources between 2005 and 2007.
At the last adjournment of Oceana's challenge to the off-shore oil drilling contracts, Justice Legall decided that the court should wait for an important case from the Court of Appeal.
Since the claimants, Oceana, COLA and the Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage, cited the Froylan Gilharry case, which supposedly canvassed similar issues that are now before the court, they waited on the Court of Appeal to give their written judgment.
Well, that judgment is here, and Justice Legall wasn't so convinced that it applies. Attorney Godfrey Smith said it does, so Justice Legall adjourned it again so that both sides can prepare to convince him with their arguments.
We spoke to Audrey Matura-Shepherd outside of court about the importance of that case and why Justice Legall isn't convinced.
Here's what she told us:
Audrey Matura - Shepherd - VP, Oceana
"There was an almost similar matter before the Court of Appeal that had to be decided - well it was decided, but the written decision had to be handed down. That is the case of Froylan Gilharry. That decision was handed down in writing last week Friday, and we got a copy. Based on that, we were to return to the court with the expectation that we would use that case to proceed with our arguments. As you noticed, you all were in court, the judge basically said that he is not full persuaded by the case, but because he believes that we need time to prepare, to come and fully argue the case, he adjourned it to the August 22. So, we come back to court then."
This matter has been adjourned until August 22, when both sides will prove or disprove that the Gilharry case applies.
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