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A staff sergeant in the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) has appealed a 2023 High Court ruling which dismissed his challenge against a decision by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to block his promotion to warrant officer.

Staff Sergeant Russell Reyes contends that Justice Nadia Kangaloo erred in law when she dismissed his lawsuit challenging the CDS’s decision to override a recommendation for his promotion made by his commanding officer.

Reyes maintains that the CDS acted without legal authority in rejecting the recommendation, arguing that the disciplinary infraction cited against him should not have been considered since it was a “spent” conviction and no longer part of his service record under military law. He also complained of an unreasonable delay by the TTDF in dealing with the disciplinary matter.