Hearing of the Application - BZ/A/CV2026/001 M. Feinstein v Minister of Natural Resources & others

1. The Minister of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining acquired 23.4 acres of land belonging to Mr Feinstein as part of the Stake Bank Island Cruise Ship Docking Facility Project to develop a cruise ship docking facility for Belize. Mr Feinstein challenged this compulsory acquisition as being in violation of the Constitution in relation to payment of compensation. He also challenged the intended acquisition of the land, claiming that it was not being acquired for a genuine public purpose and that the Port of Belize was a viable alternative site. 2. The High Court dismissed the claim, holding that Mr Feinstein did not prove his case, and Mr Feinstein appealed. In that appeal, he applied to adduce as fresh evidence a Report prepared by consultants and submitted to the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations. That Report assessed the suitability of Port Magical and Port of Belize as sites for a cruise port, but the Court of Appeal dismissed that Application. Mr Feinstein has now applied for special leave to appeal that decision of the Court of Appeal.