BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - CHIEF Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, the Honourable Dame Janice Mesadis Pereira DBE is set to receive an honorary degree from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus in Jamaica.
She will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws at the Open Campus in Saint Lucia on October 13, 2018.
According to a press release by the government of the British Virgin Islands, Dame Janice is amongst seventeen influencers to be awarded honorary degrees by The University of the West Indies (UWI) in 2018 for their outstanding contributions regionally and internationally within their respective fields.
The press release said that Premier of the British Virgin Islands, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE said Dame Janice has played an integral role in facilitating the advancement of justice in the Virgin Islands.
“Honourable Pereira continues to make her mark in Virgin Island history having now been the third Virgin Islander to be conferred an honorary degree from the University of the West Indies and the first female. She has and continues to represent this Territory and the region globally and has indeed made her mark on the world. I extend heartfelt congratulations to Dame Janice on this well-deserved honour and for her contributions to this Territory,” the press release quoted the Premier as saying.
Dame Janice obtained her Bachelor of Laws Degree (honours) from the University of the West Indies in 1979 and her Certificate of Legal Education in 1981 from the Norman Manley Law School. She was called to the Bar in the Territory of the British Virgin Islands in 1981 and then St. Christopher & Nevis in 2000.
From 1981 to 1984 she acted as Registrar of the Supreme Court and Registrar General of the Registry of Companies in the British Virgin Islands. Between 1985 and 1986, she practiced as an Associate with Harney Westwood & Riegels. From 1989 to 1990 she practiced with the firm Mc. W. Todman & Co and then went on to make partner in the firm Farara George-Creque & Kerins between 1990 and 2003.
In September 2003, Dame Janice was appointed Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and was assigned to serve the Territories of Anguilla and Montserrat. In January 2009, she was elevated to the position of Justice of Appeal.
She was appointed Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court on September 28, 2012 and was awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in May 2013.
Dame Janice serves as Chairman of the Judicial & Legal Services Commission [JLSC], JLSC BVI and JLSC, Anguilla. She is also a Member of the Regional Judicial & Legal Services Commission of the CCJ in Trinidad. Dame Janice has served as Chairman and Member on numerous Boards and Committees in Anguilla, Montserrat and BVI. She has received several awards during her career for dedicated service and contributions to the administration of Justice.
According to the press release, Dame Janice will be the third Virgin Islander to receive an honorary degree from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.
