The Supreme Court has struck out allegations of deceit levelled against the Bermuda Government in ongoing litigation, delivering a significant ruling on how the case will proceed.

The court determined that the claims of deceit could not stand, removing them from the legal action. Such allegations carry a high threshold of proof, and the decision means the plaintiffs will be unable to pursue that particular avenue of complaint as the matter continues.

The ruling narrows the scope of the dispute, which has attracted attention given its implications for the Government. Legal observers note that striking out claims at an early stage can substantially reshape a case, limiting the arguments available to the parties bringing the action.

The matter is expected to return to court as the remaining elements of the claim are addressed. Government representatives have not indicated whether further legal steps will be taken in response to the decision, while the plaintiffs retain the option of pursuing their case on the surviving grounds.