In a decisive legal ruling, Trinidad and Tobago’s Court of Appeal has reinforced property rights by dismissing a homeowner’s challenge against an investment company’s lawful acquisition of a Champs Fleurs property. The three-judge panel, led by Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh alongside Justices James Aboud and Geoffrey Henderson, delivered their unanimous verdict on December 4, affirming the High Court’s earlier decision favoring Southview Investments Ltd.
The case centered on Olive Reyes-Clarke’s attempted appeal against the property’s lawful transfer following her mortgage default with Scotiabank. The appellate court determined that Southview Investments legitimately obtained ownership through its 2016 purchase from the financial institution, with Justice Boodoosingh emphasizing that Reyes-Clarke presented no substantive evidence to challenge the company’s legal title.
Documentation presented to the court revealed a pattern of unauthorized re-entry attempts by Reyes-Clarke beginning in January 2018. Affidavits from Southview director Rambarran Sant, attorney Jean Louis Kelly, and neighbor Prakash Ramadhar detailed multiple incidents where the appellant allegedly forced entry, damaged property locks, and refused to vacate despite police intervention.
Reyes-Clarke, representing herself procedurally, leveled accusations of mortgage mismanagement, conspiracy, and judicial bias throughout previous proceedings. She maintained that a 2017 stay order preserved her possession rights and questioned the regularity of the sale process. The appellate court systematically rejected these claims, noting the complete absence of supporting evidence for allegations of fraud or misconduct.
Chief Justice Boodoosingh praised High Court Justice Margaret Mohammed’s “well-reasoned, balanced judgment” and clarified that an unfavorable ruling does not constitute judicial bias. The court ultimately found that Reyes-Clarke failed to demonstrate any legal authorization for re-entering the property years after its lawful sale, confirming that Southview Investments’ possession rights remain fully enforceable.