Legal Victory for Juliet Holness: Court Orders Land Title Transfer Amid Ongoing Dispute

Kingston, Jamaica – JAJ Development and Holdings, owned by Member of Parliament Juliet Holness, has secured a legal victory in its dispute with St. Andrew landowner Charlene Ashley over a property title for a development in Leas Flat.

On Friday, April 11, 2025, Justice David Batts ruled in favor of JAJ Development, ordering Ashley to deliver the splintered title for Lot Two within 90 days. This lot, purchased by JAJ in 2012 for $22 million, is the site of an $800 million apartment complex currently under construction. The court’s decision follows a 2020 lawsuit filed by JAJ seeking to compel Ashley to provide the title, which was part of an agreement where Ashley would receive an apartment as partial payment for the land.

However, Ashley also achieved a partial victory in her counter-suit against JAJ for trespass. The court awarded her $1 million in damages, acknowledging her claims that JAJ had trespassed and destroyed structures on her adjacent property, Lot One. Ashley contended that she was unable to deliver the title due to subdivision issues, including the need to alter her gateway to accommodate an access road to the apartment complex.

During the trial, which commenced in May 2023, both parties presented serious allegations against each other. JAJ denied the trespass claims and rejected a title provided by Ashley in December 2022, deeming it non-compliant with the sales agreement.

The court noted that both parties reached an agreement in chambers on April 10, stipulating that a stamped agreement for sale must be produced before the decision becomes enforceable. Justice Batts’ written reasons for the judgment are pending and will provide further details on the case.