The Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) has formally withdrawn its contempt application against several senior government officials, ending a legal battle that stemmed from a ruling issued by Justice Sandil Kissoon in April 2024.
The proceedings, filed on August 26, 2025, had sought committal warrants against Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, as well as senior officials from the Ministries of Education and Local Government. Those named included Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Ms. Shannielle Hoosein-Outar, and Regional Executive Officers from Regions Two, Four, Five, and Six. The GTU alleged that the government failed to comply with Justice Kissoon’s earlier judgement and orders.
On September 12, 2025, the Attorney General’s Chambers filed a notice to strike out the contempt proceedings, citing several technical grounds. Among them were claims that the GTU had failed to personally serve the applications on the alleged contemnors as required by law, that the proceedings were statute-barred under Section 16 of the Contempt of Act because they were filed more than a year after the alleged breaches, and that contempt proceedings could not be brought against the State without compliance with the State Liability and Proceedings Act.
At the hearing, a request was made for Justice Kissoon to recuse himself, given that he had delivered the original ruling at the center of the dispute. The judge agreed, and the matter was adjourned to allow reassignment by the Chief Justice. However, before the case could proceed further, the GTU served notice of its decision to withdraw and discontinue the proceedings entirely.
The Attorney General appeared in person in the case, supported by a legal team that included King’s Counsel Darshan Ramdhani, Deputy Solicitor General Shoshanna V. Lall, Principal Legal Advisor Ronetta Prince, and State Counsels Omar Hoppie and Ron Austin.
