Works and Infrastructure Minister Suruj Rambachan has agreed to enter into mediation talks to settle his defamation lawsuit against his former Cabinet colleague and leader of the Independent Liberal Party (ILP) Jack Warner. High Court Judge James Aboud was due to set deadlines for the filing of evidence in the case yesterday. However, when the case was called in the Port-of-Spain High Court, Warner’s lawyer Keith Scotland suggested the parties resolve the case out of court.
Rambachan’s lawyer Kelvin Ramkissoon said his client was not opposed to the move but expressed reservations over the private nature of a judicial settlement conference mediated by a High Court Judge, suggested by Scotland. “Sometimes these conferences do not find itself in the public domain. Because of the vile and vicious comments in this case we may wish for some sort of public statement or apology,” Ramkissoon said.
Aboud responded by saying he supported the idea and would try to find one of his colleagues with vast experience in defamation lawsuits to preside over the conference. He also stated that Ramkissoon’s concern over a public response could be resolved through the discussions with Scotland.
In his lawsuit, Rambachan claimed Warner made “malicious, reckless and irresponsible” comments against him while speaking at an ILP political meeting in New Settlement, Caroni, on July 23, last year.
“By reason of the publication of the words complained of by the defendant, the claimant (Rambachan) has been and will be greatly injured in his good name and position, brought into public scandal and disrepute, and held up in the contempt, ridicule and shame with and among relatives, friends, acquaintances, constituents and citizens of T&T,” Rambachan’s lawsuit stated.
Rambachan was in court for yesterday’s hearing but Warner was absent. The politicians will return before Aboud on February 9, next year, to inform him if the settlement conference was successful. If no agreement is made, the lawsuit will proceed for trial before Aboud.