On May 26th, 2025, the case DOMHCV2024/0218 Burney Ryan v Attorney General, was struck out of the High Court by the Honourable Madam Justice Zainab Jawara Alami due to the Claimant not properly invoking the jurisdiction of the Court under Section 103 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica.
In the case Burney Ryan, Chairman of the St. Joseph Constituency for the United Workers Party (UWP), brought a constitutional motion challenging the decision of Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica not to appoint a Leader of the Opposition, her having made this decision on the basis that no one commands the support of the elected members of the House who do not support the Government.
This stemmed from the fact that the two non-government elected representatives, Mrs. Jesma Paul-Victor and Mr. Anthony Charles, cannot agree as to who should be appointed as Leader of the Opposition.
Burney Ryan appealed the decision case DOMHCV2025/0010. However, after the exchange of legal submissions on the matter, on the 17th day of October 2025, Burney Ryan agreed to withdraw the appeal and pay the State $10,000 in legal costs.
Burney Ryan was represented by Trinidadian Anand Ramlogan, Senior Counsel, Vishaal Siewsaran, Jared Jagroo, and Ronald Charles.
The Attorney General was represented by Anthony Astaphan, Senior Counsel, Vanica Sobers-Joseph, and Jason Lawrence.
