{
  "id": 11747144,
  "title": "Barbados Judge Steps Aside From Retired Judge’s Lawsuit Against the State",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/barbados-judge-steps-aside-from-retired-judges-lawsuit-against-the",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-03T18:17:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Rio Times",
    "slug": "the-rio-times",
    "url": "https://www.riotimesonline.com/barbados-judge-recuses-constitutional-lawsuit-2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Barbados judge has withdrawn from handling a constitutional lawsuit filed by retired judge Dr Sonia Richards, citing a conflict of interest. The case was originally set to go to trial, as ruled by Justice Shona Griffith in July. Dr Richards is accusing the State, through the Attorney General, and former Chief Justice Sir Patterson Cheltenham of defamation, negligence, and breaches of her constitutional rights. The judge ruled that the conflict arose because she had presided over the case during its early stages. Justice Griffith ordered Dr Richards to amend her claim and serve it on Roger Forde KC, the senior counsel for both defendants. The amended claim was filed in the High Court on September 30. Now, Justice Patrick H Wells will preside over the case on October 29.",
  "summary": "Barbados judge Shona Griffith steps aside from a retired judge's lawsuit against the State and an ex-chief justice. A new judge hears it on 29 October. The post Barbados Judge Steps Aside From Retired Judge’s Lawsuit Against the State appeared first on The Rio Times .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}