7 News Belize

SIMPLEX Attorney Says PSU Ready To Fight, But Over What?
posted (October 17, 2019)

Just over a week ago, we told you how the Public Service Union decided that it will not back down on its claim to their Hilltop Headquarters in Belmopan.

After throwing in the towel a few weeks earlier, the union came back with renewed determination, saying they found what they are calling a significant piece of evidence which they believe proves that they have a legitimate claim to the property.

But, as we told you, Steven Perrera, the attorney for the new owners of the Hilltop property, Simplex Design Company, has already sent the union's president an eviction notice, demanding that they leave by the end of October, or else face a Supreme court battle. 

Well, the PSU isn't going to do that, and they have basically told the principals of Simplex, that they're not giving up their headquarters without a fight. The problem is that they haven't formally communicated this to Simplex via the attorneys for both sides. 

So this morning, Simplex's lawyer, Steve Perrera, granted us an interview to request that the PSU respond to his eviction notice so that he and his client can know what the union's legal position is. Here's how Perrera explained it to us:

Estevan Perrera - Attorney for Simplex
"We have sent the notice to vacate to the PSU, and we are waiting for the 30-day period. They do have until the end of this month to vacate or to send us what their position is."

Reporter
"Now, they've since sent out a press release, they've changed their minds, and they're going to make this a fight. You guys will have to forcibly eject them in court. So, what's your position on that?"

Estevan Perrera
"Well, we have noticed that the two press releases that they have put out. We have not received anything formally from them or their attorneys. And so, we are waiting to see what would be their formal position with respect to that matter. But, we haven't heard from them."

Reporter
"What will physically happen at the end of the month? Will the police go there? What will happen?"

Estevan Perrera
"No, no, that's not how it works in Belize. The way it works is that we'll send a notice to vacate, and then, you give the parties 30 days' notice. If they fail to vacate, then you're able to go to court and file an eviction claim, where you're asking for an order that the parties be evicted from the property. But, you need to send the notice."

Reporter
"The president of the PSU mentioned in an interview that Simplex Designs is the legal owner of the property, however, the process was flawed. It was illegal in terms of the sale. What do you make of that?"

Estevan Perrera
"Well again, we don't know exactly what they're referring to at this point. We're hoping that at some point, they would send us something formally. We've only heard the same thing you've heard. But that's not a legal position, and we don't know what exact grounds they're standing on. Until they respond to our letter, indicating what their position is, I won't be able to say exactly what they're thinking at this time."

The 30-day grace period for the PSU to comply with the eviction notice will end in a few days. We'll tell you how that court fight goes, if and when it happens. 

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