by Jonathan Bell

The Bermuda Government’s landmark appeal against same-sex marriage risks being thrown out by the Privy Council after a crucial deadline for the case was missed last month. The case in London would settle the issue for Bermuda, after years of wrangling in the island’s courts and Parliament.

It would also set a precedent for the same-sex unions in the UK’s Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories, as well as a host of former territories, if heard at Britain’s top court. However, The Royal Gazette understands that a key document for the Government’s side missed a deadline with the Privy Council on December 13.

Rod Attride-Stirling, one of the lawyers for the side backing same-sex unions, said yesterday: “The whole appeal could be struck out tomorrow by the Privy Council.” He added: “We had an agreement with the Government that in a case of this importance, we would both use our best endeavours to have this dealt with quickly. That agreement was made early last year. Since then, the Government has done everything to frustrate and delay the hearing taking place. In an instance involving human rights issues, delaying the process of the application is wrong.” Read more via Royale Gazette