Attorney General Appeals Ombudsman’s FOIA Decision

The Attorney General has appealed an Ombudsman decision ordering disclosure of government payments to private law firms under the Freedom of Information Act, filing a High Court notice on October 28, 2025.

The Notice of Appeal names the Attorney General of Belize as appellant and the Ombudsman as respondent and asks the court to set aside the Ombudsman’s October 10th decision on grounds of legal error. The filing cites Part V of the FOIA, the Inferior Appeals Rules 2021, and Section 31 and Sub-Part 8 of the Senior Courts Act, and bears a General Registry stamp dated October 28, 2025. Part V of the FOIA looks at “Review of Decisions”.

The Ombudsman’s decision followed a review initiated by civic activist Jeremy Enriquez after the Attorney General’s Chambers refused a FOIA request for information on payments to private law firms retained by the Government of Belize in redistricting-related litigation.

The Ombudsman directed partial disclosure, specifying release of the names of attorneys or law firms engaged and the total amounts paid to each, with redactions limited to legitimately exempt material.

As of Wednesday, October 23, Enriquez reported no update from the Ombudsman’s Office since the directive was issued on October 15, while noting that the two-week compliance period had not yet expired at that time.

The October 28th appeal places the matter before the High Court for determination, an act that ostensibly seeks to bypass the next step laid out at Section 38 of the FOIA.