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Lawyers representing the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) are now reviewing an Appeal Court ruling in its favour in its long running legal battle with Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell.
The OUR had gone to the courts to challenge a ruling by Mr. Paulwell that it did not have the authority to set rates for mobile phone operators.
After the Judicial Review Court ruled in favour of the Minister, the OUR appealed the matter.
In its ruling the Court of Appeal blasted Mr. Paulwell for "misdirecting himself as to his powers under the Act".
The Court further ruled that by the nature of his ministerial direction he sought to restrain the OUR from performing its statutory regulatory powers.
According to the Court, the Minister's direction to the OUR was flawed, for an unlawful purpose and therefore illegal.
The Court said the Minister's ruling was designed to facilitate competition and investment in the mobile sector without consideration of the public's interest.
Commenting on the significance of the ruling, Director General of the OUR, J Paul Morgan said the entity will be better placed to regulate prices in the mobile telephony market.
The OUR had gone to the courts to challenge a ruling by Mr. Paulwell that it did not have the authority to set rates for mobile phone operators.
After the Judicial Review Court ruled in favour of the Minister, the OUR appealed the matter.
In its ruling the Court of Appeal blasted Mr. Paulwell for "misdirecting himself as to his powers under the Act".
The Court further ruled that by the nature of his ministerial direction he sought to restrain the OUR from performing its statutory regulatory powers.
According to the Court, the Minister's direction to the OUR was flawed, for an unlawful purpose and therefore illegal.
The Court said the Minister's ruling was designed to facilitate competition and investment in the mobile sector without consideration of the public's interest.
Commenting on the significance of the ruling, Director General of the OUR, J Paul Morgan said the entity will be better placed to regulate prices in the mobile telephony market.
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