High Court Judge Fidela Corbin-Lincoln on Friday blocked businessman Stanley Paul and his company, the privately-owned University of Excellence, Management and Business Inc. (UEMBI), from carrying out any construction works at the Critchlow Labour College (CLC) compound on Woolford Avenue, pending the determination of a legal challenge over a disputed lease.
The injunction comes amid a bitter dispute over the control of the historic labour institution, with the college—backed by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council—challenging the legality of a lease Paul claims gives him authority over sections of the property.
At the heart of the case is whether the agreement, reportedly executed by the college’s principal, is valid, given allegations that he had no authority to do so and that the deal was signed at a time when the college’s corporate entity, Critchlow Labour College Inc. (CLCI), was dormant on the companies register.
Secretary of the college’s board and General Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Lincoln Lewis, has rejected the agreement outright, insisting he is the only person authorised to sign leases or agreements on behalf of the institution. He maintains that no such approval was granted and that he never signed any agreement to sublease the land.
Lewis further contends that the college occupies the property under a lease from the Mayor and City Council, which expressly requires council approval before any subletting can occur—approval he said was neither sought nor granted.
The Mayor and City Council has supported that position, previously issuing a cease-and-desist notice for construction on the property and maintaining that any purported sublease without its consent is invalid.
Despite those objections, Paul has maintained that he holds a valid long-term commercial lease executed in June 2025, granting his company control over sections of the property and authority over access to the compound.
In court filings, Paul defended the agreement, stating: “In particular I specifically deny the Applicant’s allegation that the Third Respondent, Dr. Ivor B. English, had no authority to negotiate, execute, and/or bind the Applicant to the tenancy arrangement pleaded herein, and I say that at all material times he held himself out, and was represented to me, as the person authorised to act for and bind the Applicant in relation to the premises.”
He added that the lease carries an initial term of 15 years from June 4, 2025, with automatic renewal, and that rent was set at GY$1 million monthly from September 1, 2025, with GY$4 million already paid and acknowledged.
During Friday’s hearing, the court was presented with sharply conflicting accounts regarding activities at the site.
Counsel for CLCI, Roysdale Forde S.C., told the court that his clients were being excluded from the property and that construction appeared to be ongoing, despite prior objections and orders.
“I am informed that my clients are continuing to be excluded from the property and there is some form of construction taking place,” Forde said. He added that while his clients were unable to access the entire premises, other tenants had reported ongoing works. He further alleged that Paul continued to restrict access and had not complied with requirements or a cease order issued by the City Engineer.
However, UEMBI’s attorney, Joelle Harmon, denied those claims.
“There is currently no construction. I don’t know who is informing my Learned Senior. There is no currently no construction happening,” Harmon said. She added that Paul had indicated “there is no construction currently ongoing and there is not going to be any further construction until this substantive matter is resolved.”
The dispute pits CLCI, represented by Lewis, against UEMBI, with the central issue being whether the college’s principal, Dr. Ivor B. English, had the legal authority to negotiate and execute the lease.
Justice Corbin-Lincoln also queried whether the agreement was made while CLCI was struck off the register—an issue that could prove central to the case.
The compound has already faced recent setbacks. Critchlow Labour College was hit by two major fires in 2025, the first on March 22 which severely damaged sections of the facility, followed by another blaze in July 31 that further gutted parts of the building. The Guyana Fire Service later confirmed the second fire was deliberately set, classifying it as arson.
The substantive matter has been fixed for April 7, 2026.
