EU sanctions court case hangs in the balance

The landmark case against European Union sanctions on Zimbabwe instituted by Trinity Engineering boss Aguy Georgias, the long-awaited hearing of which is now set for March 13 at the EU General Court in Brussels, is in imminent danger of collapse, unless Georgias can urgently secure funds to pay for the costly litigation.

After a prolonged wait for a hearing, since 2011, when the case was allocated to the EU Court's Third Chamber, a hearing date had at long last been set for February 13, but the hearing could not take place after Georgias advised his London solicitors, Bates Wells and Braithwaite, to seek an extension which the court granted to March 13.

Georgias had sought the extension in order to put funds in place for his legal team led by Hugh Mercer QC of London's  Essex Court Chambers to prepare for the hearing.

But unless Georgias secures funds urgently, his case may collapse on grounds of Rules of Procedure.

The court cannot adjourn the date set for March 13, it will be struck off the roll and that is the end.