Friday 24th April 2026
MEDIA RELEASE
HIGH COURT DISMISSES CLAIM AGAINST TTCBA
On 24th April 2026, the High Court of Justice dismissed a claim brought against Ms. Rosalind Gabriel, former President of the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Bands Association ("TTCBA") and the TTCBA itself (collectively the “Defendants”), brought by the Claimants, Dune Ali, Gerard Weekes and Jacqueline Burgess. In a judgment delivered by the Honourable Mme. Justice Jacqueline Wilson KC, the Court declined to grant any of the declarations, the order for fresh elections, or the damages sought by the Claimants and ordered the Claimants to pay costs to the Defendants to be assessed in default of agreement.
Commenting on the judgment, Mr. Mark Ayen, President of the TTCBA, said: "The Association welcomes the Court's ruling. With this matter now behind us, the Executive is firmly focused on the work ahead: serving our members and advancing the mas industry in Trinidad and Tobago and on the international stage. On behalf of the Association, I also extend our sincere condolences to the family of the late Mr. Gerard Weekes."
The TTCBA remains committed to its objectives of promoting, enhancing and developing the mas component of Carnival and the culturally related art forms of Trinidad and Tobago, both locally and internationally.
The Defendants were represented by Shiv A. Sharma who was instructed by Daniella Bharath.
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