A group of young men battling to get the military draft outlawed were defeated in the Supreme Court this morning.

Chief Justice Richard Ground ruled that the policy - which sees male conscripts picked through a ballot to serve in the Regiment - does not break the law.

Lawyers for the campaigners - 14 men known collectively as Bermudians Against the Draft - confirmed they plan to appeal. Leader of the group Larry Marshall Sr. has previously vowed to take the fight all the way to Bermuda’s highest court of appeal, the Privy Council in London, if necessary.

During the high profile case late last month, lawyer Delroy Duncan argued on behalf of B.A.D that the administration of the policy is “illegal and immoral.”

He claimed insufficient efforts had been made to recruit volunteers before turning to conscription in breach of the Defence Act. He also alleged that the fact men and not women are subjected to the policy is a breach of human rights.

Although the Chief Justice rejected the bid to have the policy overturned, he did not ask B.A.D to pay the Government’s legal bill, noting: “I think this was an issue of both public importance and public interest.”

For full details of his ruling, and reaction from the parties involved, see tomorrow’s edition of The Royal Gazette.