2023 Laws not yet authenticated through a Commencement Order

Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2023)

21.   Mode of trial of petitions

The following provisions shall apply to the trial of a petition—

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    (1)   the trial shall take place at such time as the judge may appoint, not being less than 7 days after notice of trial has been given to the parties and published in the Gazette and in a newspaper published in Saint Lucia;

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    (2)   the judge may adjourn the trial from time to time, but the trial of every petition so far as practicable, consistently with the interests of justice in respect of such trial, shall be continued de die in diem on lawful days until its conclusion;

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    (3)   the judge may make a special report to the Governor General upon any matter arising in the course of the trial, an account of which in his or her judgment ought to be submitted;

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    (4)   where it appears to the Court or a judge, on application by summons of either party or without such application, that the case raised by the petition can be conveniently stated as a special case, it or he or she may direct the same to be stated by the petitioner and the respondent accordingly, and any such special case shall, as far as may be, be heard before the Court, and the decision of the Court thereon shall be the decision on the petition;

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    (5)   in case of the petitioner and the respondent differing on the stating of the special case, the Court or a judge may refer the same to some qualified person to be settled;

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    (6)   the Court shall certify to the Governor General its determination in reference to such special case.