In a landmark decision that reaffirms public access to coastline in Antigua and Barbuda, the St. John’s Magistrate’s Court has dismissed all trespassing charges against 16 activists who fought restricted entry to Laurys Bay. The case collapsed entirely after prosecutors failed to produce a single witness to testify against the defendants.
The proceedings, which dragged on for nearly 12 months, stemmed from accusations that the group had crossed private property to reach the well-established traditional access path to Laurys Bay. The defendants, who have widely become known as ‘beach rights patriots’, have maintained from the start that all Caribbean nation’s beaches are legally public, and that citizens hold an inherent right to access them even when that requires crossing privately held parcels of land.
Speaking after the ruling lead defense attorney Mr. Boy framed the verdict as an unqualified win for his clients. ‘The magistrate had scheduled today for the full trial, and all prosecution witnesses were ordered to appear, not one showed up. With no evidence to support the claims and no case to answer, the court had no choice but to enter a full not guilty verdict for all 16 defendants,’ he explained.
Mr. Boy further emphasized that the outcome aligns with the letter of Antigua and Barbuda’s Physical Planning Act, which enshrines public access to all national beaches. ‘When a private landowner blocks a long-standing traditional access route and then sues visitors for trespassing, that landowner is the one breaking the law,’ he added.
With the charges formally cleared, the defendants now have the legal standing to move forward with additional action, including a potential lawsuit for malicious prosecution and claims to recover the significant legal costs they incurred over the year-long proceedings. Boy noted that the group is actively pursuing compensation, pointing to the substantial personal inconvenience and financial strain the protracted case has placed on all 16 defendants.
Legal and community advocates have already hailed the ruling as a critical milestone for public rights in Antigua and Barbuda. The decision reinforces long-standing legal protections for traditional community access points that have served local populations for generations, setting a clear precedent for future disputes over beach access across the country.