Today, Monday, September 29, Guyana begins arbitration proceedings in the Smart City Solutions Holdings Inc. v Co-operative Republic of Guyana case, also known as the Parking Meter Case, at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in Paris, France.
Three days ago, the Hon. Mohabir Anil Nandlall SC, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, announced that he would be leading a delegation from Guyana, including witnesses, for the proceedings scheduled to run until Saturday, October 4.
The case involves a US $100 million claim against Guyana arising from a contract executed by the former APNU-AFC Coalition Government for the Georgetown parking meter project, which was ultimately abandoned following public opposition.
Witnesses for Guyana include former Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, former Georgetown Mayor and City Council councillors Malcolm Ferreira and Bishram Kuppen, along with a former Chancellor of the Judiciary serving as an expert witness.
The arbitration was registered with ICSID on December 22, 2021, and the tribunal was constituted on September 20, 2022. The panel is chaired by Dr. Campbell Alan McLachlan KC of New Zealand, with arbitrators Stephan Schill of Germany, appointed by the claimant, and Marcelo Kohen of Argentina, appointed by the respondent.
Guyana is represented by the Washington-based law firm Foley Hoag in conjunction with the Attorney General’s Chambers.
