Custom House Agent licence revocation: Tribunal refuses interim stay after prima facie review of procedure and alleged misdeclaration.

A stay of a Custom House Agent licence revocation under the Custom House Agents Licensing Regulations, 1984 was sought pending appeal. On a prima facie review, the Tribunal noted that the revocation had been passed following the prescribed procedure and that the licence holder's role in the alleged misdeclaration remained a matter for final hearing. Finding no sufficient basis to exercise its inherent power to suspend the revocation order, the Tribunal declined interim relief. The operation of the revocation order therefore continued pending disposal of the appeal.

---

---

Issues: Whether the operation of the order revoking the Custom House Agent licence under Regulation 21 of the Custom House Agents Licensing Regulations, 1984 should be stayed pending final hearing of the appeal.

Analysis: The application for stay was considered on a prima facie assessment of the revocation order and the material placed before the Tribunal. The Tribunal noted that the licence had been revoked after following the procedure prescribed under the Custom House Agents Licensing Regulations, 1984 and that the role and complicity of the licence holder in the alleged misdeclaration were matters to be decided at the final hearing. On that basis, and finding no sufficient ground to invoke its inherent power to suspend the operation of the revocation order, the Tribunal declined interim relief.

Conclusion: The request for stay of the revocation order was rejected and the operation of the order was not suspended pending appeal.

---