Sell Legend bandroom

ONE-time business partners, Carnival bandleaders Ian McKenzie and Michael “Big Mike” Antoine, are to agree on how they will pay the stamp duty required so the property which once housed their popular mas band Legends can be sold. The 14-year-old property dispute between the former friends, who parted ways in 2004, is coming close to an end.

They are to return to court on May 21, so that Justice Frank Seepersad can formalise an order which will give effect to the sale of the former bandroom at 88 Roberts Street in Woodbrook and the terms under which it will take place.

The judge has ordered that the property be sold at a minimum price of $2.5 million, but both men will be given an opportunity to sell the property privately, or in default by public auction. The two will also agree on an estate agent, but not before they also agree on terms of payment of stamp duty and any interest or penalties that may have accrued, so that the deed of lease can be registered.

Previously, both parties said they were prepared to pay their portion of the stamp duty required to get the lease, so they can sell the property.

McKenzie wanted the former Legends bandroom sold and to be given half the proceeds. He said in his lawsuit that he and Antoine were partners and acquired the lease, the unexpired residue of which was valued at $2.5 million. He also claimed entitlement to whatever earnings the property would have made in rent.

However, in his ruling on occupational rent, the judge said McKenzie was not entitled to it, as he failed to establish this properly in his lawsuit. He also lost on his claim for an account of the rent and profits Antoine would have received from April 2004. Seepersad said the evidence was clear and undisputed that Antoine was never in receipt of rent.

As part of his order yesterday, Seepersad said while an olive branch could have been previously extended by one of the parties to avoid litigation in the decade-old case, he was ordering each man to pay his own legal bills. After their split, McKenzie and his wife Nina carried on the mas-making business under the name Genesis, while Antoine continued under the Legacy banner. McKenzie is represented by attorney Farid Scoon. Simon de La Bastide represents Antoine.