On March 3, 2011, the Honourable Edison Baird filed suit in the High Court against Mr. Lyndon Duncan alleging defamation of his character by words spoken by Mr. Duncan at a public rally in Blowing Point on January 8, 2011.
The matter was tried before the Honourable Justice Sir Clare Roberts, Q.C. on June 18, 2012.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Roberts, Q.C. today, June 29, 2012. The Court found that the words complained of were defamatory and injured the Claimant’s reputation. The Court ordered the Defendant to pay the sum of EC$40,000.00 in damages to the Claimant plus costs and interest at a rate of 5% from the date of judgment.
Mr. Baird said he was delighted with the decision. He was happy that the Court had thrown its protective arms around his good name.
The Honourable Edison Baird was represented by Mrs. Tara Ruan and Ms. Kristy Richardson, instructed by Caribbean Juris Chambers, Hannah Waver House. In speaking to the press, Mrs. Ruan indicated that the judgment is an important one because it reminds us that freedom of expression is not absolute and one should exercise good judgment when making public statements about people’s character and reputation.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
