Barbados Light & Power Company Granted Permission for New Evidence in FTC Rate Decision Appeal

Barbados Light & Power Company (BL&P) now has permission to introduce some fresh evidence in court as it seeks to overturn the Fair Trading Commission’s (FTC) electricity rate decision.

With the appeal trial set to start on December 3, Justice Barry Carrington yesterday allowed BL& P’s application to enter documentary evidence related to a $19 million accumulated deferred income tax (ADIT) gain.

Before giving the green light, Carrington denied the Financial Services Commission’s (FSC) request to make amicus curiae (friend of the court) submissions in relation to BL& P’s self insurance fund (SIF).

While the FTC could not be reached for comment, BL& P’s lead counsel Ramon Alleyne, SC, of Clarke Gittens Farmer welcomed the court’s decision on the new evidence.

“I believe it is a solid ruling based on good legal authority, it expands on certain decisions which relate to fresh evidence. I think the decision reflects that the circumstances of this case meant that in the interest of justice the documentary evidence should be allowed such that there could be a fair and balanced decision at the end of the day,” he told the DAILY NATION.