–rules party has no legal right to remain on the State property
The High Court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) over its former regional headquarters in Lethem, ruling that the political party had no legal right to remain on the property.
The judgment, delivered on August 24, 2026, found in favour of the Attorney General, Dale Kennedy and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Nine, who had maintained that the building was State property and that the PNCR had occupied it without legal ownership rights.
The dispute stemmed from the PNCR’s removal from the premises in March 2023, following several notices issued by the RDC for the party to vacate the building.
The PNCR had alleged that Regional Executive Officer (REO) Karl Singh and contractor Dale Kennedy, accompanied by members of the Guyana Police Force, entered the building without permission.
It further alleged that sections of the structure were demolished, party property was removed and its representatives were prevented from returning to the premises.
The party had consequently sought declarations that its constitutional rights were violated, damages for trespass and conversion of its property, as well as an injunction preventing the defendants from re-entering the premises.
However, the defendants argued that the building and land belonged to the State and were vested in the RDC. They maintained that the PNCR had occupied the premises only as a licensee and had never been the owner or tenant.
The court, after hearing evidence from both sides, found that the land and building were State property and that the PNCR had failed to produce a lease, title document or other evidence establishing ownership.
The judgment further found that although the PNCR had occupied the building for decades, dating back to the 1970s, its presence was based on permission granted by the State rather than a legal right to the property.
The court also determined that the RDC had given the party sufficient notice to leave.
According to the judgment, notices were first issued in November 2021 and were repeated several times, with a final deadline given in January 2023 before the authorities reclaimed the premises in March of that year.
As the PNCR’s right to occupy the property had been lawfully withdrawn, the court ruled that the subsequent entry and recovery of the building did not amount to trespass.
The court also rejected the party’s claim that its belongings had been unlawfully converted. It found that the items removed from the building were inventoried and stored by the RDC and remained available for collection.
The PNCR’s constitutional and international human rights claims were likewise rejected, with the court concluding that the Government’s actions amounted to the lawful enforcement of its property rights rather than discrimination or an unconstitutional taking.
The PNCR’s claim was therefore dismissed in its entirety, and the party was ordered to pay $300,000 in costs to the Attorney General.
The PNCR was represented by attorney Darren Wade, while Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, and State Counsel Pierre Squires represented the Attorney General.
