Progresso Heights case was different story from Belize courts

As Courtenay says, Elrington was seen to be taking advantage of Progresso Heights Limited’s principals, abusing his position of power. Even so and despite denying their relationship, he won the case at the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. But at the Caribbean Court of Justice, it was a different story, as according to Courtenay, the Senior Counsel proved the old adage about why it is foolish to represent yourself in court.

Eamon Courtenay, P.U.P. Senator

Eamon Courtenay

“He lied to the C.C.J, tried to present arguments to the CCJ that he had presented to justice Leal in the Supreme Court which Justice Leal had ruled out against him and I encourage you to watch the hearing,. It is on the CCJ website and they put to him, they said Mr. Elrington that is your case that you are not these peoples attorney? Yes that’s my only case. And when I got up and I replied I took the court to the judgment of Justice Leal which Mr. Elrington in his characteristic dishonesty did not point out to the court that that had been ruled against. And show the court where he had run those same argument they had ruled against him and he had not appealed it. What did the court do? Read the judgment it is to only substantive appeal that I have  ever been in, in the CCJ where immediately after they have heard both parties, they said give us a few minutes and they ruled immediately. They ruled recite that in their judgment, they did not even have to go and study. They did not have to go and think about it, he came with such unadulterated nonsense that they granted the appeal immediately and because he had taken the people’s money and taken the poles land title they ordered him to return it. When the judgment was finish and the judge got up he turned to some and said what happened. What you mean what happened. I don’t understand, I don’t understand, I packed up my things and walked out. He was shell-shocked.”

Courtenay urged Elrington to apologize for what amounts to contempt of court. As for what happened afterward, the court registrar has declared the titles lost per the C.C.J.’s order and new ones are being issued. Costs are to be borne by Elrington and his firm Pitts and Elrington as defendants.