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He explained the order of the court in a press briefing today:

The court found that when the headquarters was taken over by Tracy Panton and her allies 11 days ago, it was done unlawfully:

Immanuel Williams, Attorney - Syne Barrow Executive
"The court satisfied itself based on rule of law. As you know, Jules, we don't live in medieval times. So in order to repossess property, you'd have to go through the proper channels to repossess the property, which was done in this case. As such, the court emphasized the fact that it is important for parties, if they wish to undertake any repossession or dispossession of property to pursue a court order."

So now control and possession of the headquarters reverts to Shyne Barrow's executive:

Immanuel Williams, Attorney - Syne Barrow Executive
"The practical effect is that the court order takes effect immediately. Therefore, the applicants, Mr. Barrow and his colleagues, can attend to the UDP headquarters and repossess the property as of 10 a.m. today."

"Practically the order takes effect immediately so they can literally go ask for the keys or have a police officer assist them with enforcing the court order."

Reporter
"And the consequences legally if the other side chooses not to?"

Immanuel Williams, Attorney - Syne Barrow Executive
"Contempt of court."

The legal filings are exhaustive, but today's hearing had a single focus:

Immanuel Williams, Attorney - Syne Barrow Executive
"At this stage we simply narrowed our focus to repossession of the property. The main claim considers other issues of trespass and the media is aware of the extent of the main claim. Therefore, today simply addressed the issue of possession."

"So the UDP headquarters is a symbolic relic within the UDP, Belize and our clients the applicants. As such in or if they were to be paid damages, which is a monetary compensation instead of repossession that would not assuage or fix the problem of not having possession. Our clients are political figures and they utilize this political infrastructure for particular purposes."

"However, the court today did express that it did not express a view or a ruling as to the ownership or any rights vested in the property. It was simply possession, today only dealt with possession of the property."

And Barrow's executive will hold and maintain possession until the court says otherwise - and that may be an eternity in political time:

Immanuel Williams, Attorney - Syne Barrow Executive
"The relief extends until the determination of the main claim which, based on the issues there and how it resolved before the court, may affect this application today and the orders granted."

"There's a date of January 14, 2025, for the first hearing of the fixed date claim form, which essentially would be a case management hearing."

Jules Vasquez
"So we're looking at a period of months because that's just case management."

Immanuel Williams, Attorney - Syne Barrow Executive
"We're looking. Indeed, we are looking at that period of months, because after case management, then you have orders to be complied with and the court directed the parties to see how best we can handle the case or deal with the matters going forward."

Jules Vasquez
"Is there any way the court can be, or is it in your client's interest to apprize the court of the urgency of the matter?"

Immanuel Williams, Attorney - Syne Barrow Executive
"The matter is urgent. The earliest date the Court will address the matter is in January, and that is the best time given the circumstances. I think it's an opportune time for the parties to see how quickly that the matter can be resolved, whether in court or otherwise."

Williams hinted at a negotiated settlement between the two warring factions because of the political timelines: by the time the substantive matter is heard, elections may have already been called.