State: No exceptional circumstances to justify blocking Parris trial

The State is fighting to revive the criminal prosecution of former CLICO boss Leroy Parris, challenging a High Court injunction that bars the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from proceeding against him.

Deputy Solicitor General Marsha Lougheed on Wednesday filed a challenge in the Court of Appeal, asking it to overturn a permanent injunction prohibiting the DPP from prosecuting the former chairman of CLICO Life Insurance Company for alleged theft and conspiracy.

Senior Counsel Roger Forde, who represents the three appellants, Magistrate Manila Renee, the Attorney General and the DPP, contends that case law establishes that a DPP cannot be prevented from prosecuting anyone unless there is evidence of mala fides or exceptional circumstances, according to the court filings.