The first hearing of the judicial review matter involving Prime Minister Andrew Holness and the Integrity Commission (IC) has been set for January 7, next year.

This follows the Supreme Court granting leave this morning to Mr. Holness and three co-applicants to bring a judicial review claim against the Commission and its Director of Investigations, Kevon Stephenson.

Mr. Holness and his co-applicants now have leave to challenge the August 30, 2024, IC report on his statutory declarations.

Additionally, they have leave to seek an order quashing the special report on the applicant, except for the paragraph recommending that Parliament develop policy and legislation regarding the commercial and corporate activities of government ministers and potential conflicts of interest.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court refused an application for permission to apply for judicial review to compel the Commission’s Director of Information and Complaints, Craig Beresford, to examine Mr. Holness’ 2022 and 2023 statutory declarations under the Integrity Commission Act.

The court also rejected the application to compel Mr. Stephenson to recommend to the IC that Prime Minister Holness be exonerated in relation to his 2021 and 2022 statutory declarations.

The first hearing of the fixed date claim form will take place on January 7 at 10:00 A.M. for two hours.

Prime Minister Holness’ legal team, headed by Queen’s Counsel Georgia Gibson Henlin and Senator Ransford Braham, has welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling.