CCJ restores High Court ruling in Guyana land dispute, overturns costs award

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has ruled in favor of Janet Hassan in a long-running Guyana land dispute, finding that a receipt issued in 1990 constituted evidence of an agreement to sell the property.

In a judgment delivered November 3, the Trinidad-based court, which is Guyana’s final court of appeal, allowed Hassan’s appeal in the case of Janet Hassan v. Romanie Gouveia and restored a High Court order dismissing Gouveia’s claim for possession.

The dispute centered on a receipt signed in 1990 by Eric Sue, recording a payment of GYD$2,235 by Hassan’s husband, Abdool Hassan, “for the use of” the land. The document marked the payment as “Full Payment” and contemplated the construction of houses on the property.