Antigua and Barbuda’s legal system is under renewed scrutiny as prominent banker Brian Stuart-Young faces the very real prospect of imprisonment for contempt of court in a long-standing financial dispute with businessman Jack Stroll.
The high-profile case, which has already attracted international attention, stems from a November 2022 court ruling ordering Stuart-Young and his bank, Global Bank of Commerce, to repay Stroll approximately US$10 million. To date, the money remains unpaid.
Now the matter has escalated significantly. Stuart-Young has been found in contempt of court as of February 28, 2025, and is due in court next week, where the central issue is not the original debt—but whether he will be sent to prison for defying the court’s orders.
Sealed Records, Zoom Hearings, and a Cloud of Secrecy
Adding to the controversy, Stroll’s court records have been sealed without explanation, effectively silencing him from speaking about the case. Meanwhile, hearings are being conducted via Zoom—an unusual decision for a matter of such public interest—barring journalists and the public from observing proceedings. The proceedings on Friday appear to be a step to openness, allowing Stroll his day in court and opening to the media.
Why has the court limited access? And why does a case involving millions of dollars, an offshore bank, and allegations of contempt remain hidden from scrutiny?
Investor Confidence on the Line
This case has broader implications beyond the individuals involved. Antigua’s Financial Regulatory and Supervisory Commission (FRSC) claimed in January 2025 that it was committed to protecting depositors and maintaining confidence in the financial system.
Yet the FRSC has remained silent on this case—even as Global Bank of Commerce, one of the country’s offshore banks, is at the heart of a scandal involving withheld investor funds. Stroll may not be the only investor affected, according to unconfirmed reports.
Where Is the Money?
Despite a clear court judgment in his favour, Jack Stroll still hasn’t received the money. Questions continue to mount:
- Why hasn’t the judgment been enforced?
- Why are court records sealed from the public and the media?
- Why has Stuart-Young not been held accountable—yet?
As Stroll stated bluntly: “This is not a political issue; all I want is my money.”
A Critical Test for Antigua’s Judiciary
This case is being watched both at home and abroad as a test of Antigua’s commitment to the rule of law. Many are asking: will the country’s judicial system enforce its own rulings, or will it allow Stuart-Young to evade justice again?
The contrast is stark. In Antigua and Barbuda, citizens have been imprisoned for debts of just a few thousand dollars. Yet despite owing millions and ignoring a court order, Stuart-Young has yet to face serious consequences.
With a contempt hearing set for 9.00am on April 11th, all eyes are on the Antiguan court. Will it finally act to uphold the law—or send a dangerous message that some individuals are beyond its reach?
