The Chaguaramas Military History and Aerospace Museum (CMHAM) will remain on its site until, at least until May 9.
During a hearing on Monday morning, High Court Judge Joan Charles continued the injunction against the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) that was granted by her colleague late last week.
Presenting preliminary submissions, the CDA’s lawyer Justin Phelps, SC, said his client was seeking to have the injunction discharged.
Phelps claimed that the injunction was sought on a “false premise” as he suggested that the CMHAM failed to disclose facts relative to its proposed eviction.
He also questioned the museum’s delay in filing its statement of case as required under the Civil Proceedings Rules.
Justice Charles gave the parties deadlines for filing their submissions on whether the injunction should be continued or discharged.
She reserved May 9 to either deliver her decision on the injunction or hear further submissions.
On October 1, last year, the CDA withdrew its 30-year lease.
The CDA said it made several attempts to regularise the museum as a lessee, but in the last four years, it did not receive a substantive response from the museum’s proprietors, who continued to operate on the land without paying rent.
On February 28, the CDA made good on its eviction threats as it took over the facility and changed the locks.
Days later, the CDA wrote to the museum’s board instructing it to remove all the artefacts from the compound within seven days.
Late last week, High Court Judge Devindra Rampersad granted the injunction restoring the museum’s access to the facility.
The CMHAM was represented by Glen Bhagwansingh.
