Some residents living in two districts in Westmoreland have brought a case in the Supreme Court seeking orders to prevent any prospective owner from taking over the lands on which they live.

The residents, totalling 34, are contending that they have been living on the lands at Little Bay and Brighton between 20 and 30 years.

They claim that under the Limitations of Actions Act, they were entitled to the land by means of adverse possession. It is their contention that in law they have been living on the land undisturbed for more than 12 years and, therefore, could obtain titles for the sections of the land on which they live.

Suits against both

In 2003, they filed suits against John Eugstar and his wife Kathleen, who had bought the properties.

The residents, who are being represented by attorney-at-law Antonnette Haughton-Cardenas, claim that they had been living on the land long before the Eugstars purchased the land. Eugstar died after the suit was filed.

The matter came for hearing on Monday but has been put off to July 20.