A High Court decision not to block the swearing-in of St. Philip’s North MP-elect Randy Baltimore does not settle the question of his eligibility, attorney Sherfield Bowen said Thursday, stressing that the substantive case will be heard and decided in the coming weeks.

Bowen said the court considered two separate applications: a petition seeking Baltimore’s disqualification as a Member of Parliament and an injunction to prevent his swearing-in. He noted that only the injunction was heard at this stage and that it was refused.

He explained that the court declined to grant the injunction because there is an unresolved dispute over the effective date of Baltimore’s separation from the public service — an issue that requires full examination during the trial.

The case centres on whether Baltimore was still a public officer on Nomination Day, February 25, 2026, which would disqualify him under the Constitution.

Bowen said Baltimore identified himself as a customs officer on his nomination form, and that designation was also reflected on the ballot. He argued that eligibility is determined at the time of nomination.

According to Bowen, Baltimore submitted a resignation letter dated February 18, 2026, but public service rules require 90 days’ notice. He said the Public Service Commission later deemed the resignation invalid and instead terminated Baltimore’s employment on March 9.

He added that a separate communication from the Establishment Division suggested the termination took effect on February 19, creating a discrepancy that the court must resolve.

Bowen said that because of this conflict in evidence, the court opted not to intervene at the injunction stage.

He maintained that the main case challenging Baltimore’s eligibility remains active and will be heard on an expedited basis, with a decision expected before April 27.

Bowen said the petitioners intend to show that Baltimore was still a public officer on Nomination Day and therefore ineligible to be elected.