A High Court judge has dismissed a constitutional motion challenging how the Leader of the Opposition is appointed in Dominica’s House of Assembly, ruling the case was “without merit.”
The motion, brought by Burney Ryan and supported by a legal team including former Trinidad and Tobago attorney general Anand Ramlogan, argued that the President should have reinstated Jesma Paul-Victor as Opposition Leader after her resignation in June 2024. Ryan claimed the President was obligated to consider written support from Opposition Senators and Paul-Victor’s own interest in resuming the role.
However, Justice Zainab Jawara-Alami ruled the claim lacked a clear constitutional foundation, failed to identify any breached provision, and did not meet the threshold for a constitutional challenge. She also said Ryan had no legal standing due to the absence of a viable case and issued no order for legal costs.
The ruling means the position of Leader of the Opposition remains vacant, with no court requirement for the President to act based on Senators’ support.
