The High Court of Antigua and Barbuda has rejected a bid to strike out a constitutional challenge to the Electronic Crimes Act, according to Antigua News Room. Justice Renee Williams denied the application, allowing the challenge brought by Bramble to proceed.
The court's decision follows a series of filing disputes between the parties. As reported by Antigua News Room, the Attorney General was previously ordered to pay Bramble $3,000 in costs after submissions were filed 20 months late. In a separate ruling, Bramble was ordered to pay $500 in costs to the Attorney General for a late filing of three months.
Justice Williams' decision to allow the challenge to continue represents a significant procedural development in the case. The ruling means that Bramble's challenge to the Electronic Crimes Act will be heard on its merits, rather than being dismissed on procedural grounds.
The case has drawn attention given the subject matter — the Electronic Crimes Act — and the pattern of late filings by both sides, which prompted cost orders from the court. The source of case updates has been www.thebrambleapp.com, which has been tracking the proceedings.
