Acting Chief Justice officially opens 2012-2013 law year

ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, September 20th, 2012 – In what was described as a historic occasion in not only the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) but for the Territory of the Virgin Islands, for the first time in the Court’s 45 year history the address to officially open the new law year was given by a woman, Virgin Islander Honourable Acting Chief Justice Janice Pereira.

The opening of the 2012-2013 law year was held during a special sitting of the Supreme Court. During this sitting Her Ladyship, Honourable Justice Vicki Ann Ellis, Resident Judge was also welcomed to the jurisdiction. The sitting was presided over by His Lordship the Honourable Justice Albert Redhead.

Her Ladyship, the Honourable Acting Chief Justice Janice Pereira delivered her address from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which was simulcast in the Virgin Islands as well as the other eight member states and territories.
The Acting Chief Justice in her address said, “This being my first address since assuming the office of Acting Chief Justice, I would like to publicly thank the Honourable Heads of Government for the opportunity to serve the court and the region as Acting Chief Justice.

It is indeed an honour and a privilege to serve our region in this capacity and I pledge my commitment to continue with the good work started by all my predecessors towards the administration and advancement of justice for the citizenry of the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and wider Caribbean.”

The theme for the Acting Chief Justice’s remarks, “Improving Efficiency and Integrity in the Administration of Justice in times of Economic Adversity,” was evident throughout her presentation that focused around the court’s accomplishments and upcoming plans for the new law year.

The Acting Chief Justice spoke about the strides made in implementing a specialised criminal division in the judiciary with a view to providing a more effective case management system in criminal matters. “The criminal division pilot was successfully implemented in St. Lucia and work on similar pilots continues to progress in other member states and Territories where all indications show that continued success with implementation is imminent.”

In reference to the Integration of the Magistracy, the Acting Chief Justice shared, “I am pleased to announce that a practise note entitled, Magistrates’ Style and Title in Address in Court was issued by my predecessor, Sir Hugh Rawlins.

The purpose of the practise note is to change the form of address of magistrates with the intention of promoting uniformity in the ECSC in the style and titles of magistrates and to permit magistrates to wear robes when presiding in court and at other official functions. The practice note, which came into effect on September 1, 2012, provides that magistrates should now be addressed as your honour instead of your worship and that magistrates may be robed on the bench.”

The Acting Chief Justice in her remarks gave an update on the Halls of Justice Project. “The final report and feasibility study was completed. In the coming year, we intend to move into the next stage of the project, which is preparation of the final designs to include mechanical and electrical drawings and the tendering stage for construction.”

The Acting Chief Justice also spoke in detail about the strides made in case management and software upgrades, video conferencing, audio recording, civil procedure rules, reform initiatives, the family division, public education/community outreach, filing fees and technology.

Remarks at the special sitting were also delivered by the Attorney General, Dr. the Honourable Christopher Malcolm, Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Wayne L. Rajbansie, Member of the Inner Bar, Paul Webster, Q.C., Member of the Utter Bar, Mr. Mark Forte and President of the BVI Bar Association, Ms. Keisha Durham.

A special sitting of the Supreme Court is held annually to officially open the law year in the Territory, which begins in September.

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