THE LIBEL suit which Mandeville businessman Kenneth Black, also known as 'Skeng Don', has brought against Opposition Leader Edward Seaga is to be heard in the Supreme Court on March 15 next year.
A trial date was fixed last week when lawyers representing the parties and Mr. Black attended a case management conference presided over by Mr. Justice Donald McIntosh. The parties have been ordered to hand over the statements of their witnesses to each other within the next 45 days.
Mr. Black, managing director of Black Brothers Company Limited and a member of the governing People's National Party, is seeking substantial damages against Mr. Seaga.
In December last year, he filed suit contending that Mr. Seaga libelled him on October 21 at a meeting in Junction, St. Elizabeth. He said the libel was broadcast on television on October 21 and repeated on radio on October 22.
Mr. Seaga has pleaded fair comment. He is contending, in his defence, that he was performing his duty as Leader of the Opposition and as a watchdog of the laws and practices of Government. He claimed further that Mr. Black was not injured in his credit, character, reputation or in his business as he is alleging.
Attorney-at-law Gordon Robinson, instructed by attorney-at-law Bert Samuels is representing Mr. Black.
Mr. Seaga is being represented by R.N.A. Henriques Q.C., instructed by Raymond Clough, of Clough Long and Company.
