Gov't files appeal in JPS class action suit

Jerome Reynolds, Gleaner Writer

The Government has filed an appeal against the Supreme Court ruling in the class action suit brought by a group of people against the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS).

In July, Justice Bryan Sykes ruled that the energy minister does not have the power to grant an exclusive licence to the JPS.

Justice Sykes further ruled that the JPS licence was invalid.

The light and power company has already filed an appeal.

In its appeal, the government is contending, among other things, that Justice Sykes erred in his ruling.

The government is maintaining that the law gives the minister the power to grant an exclusive licence.

It is seeking an order to set aside the ruling by Justice Sykes and an order that the JPS licence is valid.

The government also wants the Court of Appeal to grant an order that only a portion of the $24 million being sought in legal costs by the claimants is to be paid.

The government is being represented by attorney-at-law Althea Jarrett, while the claimants in the JPS class action suit are being represented by attorney-at-law Marvalyn Taylor-Wright.

The claimants in the case are Dennis Meadows, Betty Ann Blaine and Cyrus Rousseau.

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