AG Addresses Privy Council Ruling

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Attorney General Ryan Pinder weighing in on a Privy Council ruling that determined property conveyed in subdivisions without the necessary planning approvals are null and void.

He tells reporters the Davis administration is looking at legislative ways to address the issue, which now puts some landowners in a tight spot.

Jasmin Brown reports.

The case involved the purchase of a piece of property in Exuma by American Malik Momin from February Point Resort Estates Ltd.

Momin argued the property was in an unapproved subdivision, so he refused to accept the conveyance, and demanded a refund of the $895,000 payment.

The Privy Council ruled that Section 62 of the Planning and Subdivision Act 2010 makes it a criminal offense to convey land without the necessary approval, and the conveyance is therefore null and void.

The attorneys at the center of the case, Christina Galanos and Obie Pindling, told Our News on Monday, parliament will have to step in.

The AG says they are working swiftly to do just that.

Pinder adds, given the wide-ranging impact of the ruling, it’s too early to tell how many landowners will be affected.