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Another St Lucian gets top Job in VI

-Shawn Innocent is full-time Magistrate
The Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) has announced that Saint Lucian native, Shawn Innocent, has been appointed as a full-time Magistrate for a period of six months with effect from September 3, 2018. Photo: GIS
Mr Shawn Innocent will be responsible for trying persons charged with summary offences, conducting preliminary inquiries into indictable offences, trying civil actions founded in contract, hearing and determining applications made under the Juvenile Act; hearing and determining all complaints laid under the Physical Planning Act; serving as Coroner, and conducting inquests into unnatural deaths occurring within the Territory; supervising the execution of writs and supervising and managing the judicial operations of the Magistrate's Courts in the Territory. Photo: Internet Source
Mr Shawn Innocent will be responsible for trying persons charged with summary offences, conducting preliminary inquiries into indictable offences, trying civil actions founded in contract, hearing and determining applications made under the Juvenile Act; hearing and determining all complaints laid under the Physical Planning Act; serving as Coroner, and conducting inquests into unnatural deaths occurring within the Territory; supervising the execution of writs and supervising and managing the judicial operations of the Magistrate's Courts in the Territory. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) has announced that Saint Lucian native, Shawn Innocent, has been appointed as a full-time Magistrate for a period of six months, with effect from September 3, 2018.

The appointment was made by United Kingdom (UK) appointed Governor, Augustus J. U. Jaspert, in accordance with Section 95, of the VI Constitution Order and in consultation with the Judicial and Legal Services Commission.

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Ms Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe, welcomed Mr Innocent’s appointment, as he substitutes for Magistrate Ayanna O. Da Breo, who is currently on medical leave, according to a Government Information Service (GIS) Press Release.

Mr Innocent is a graduate of the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, where he attained a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree.

He also attained a Certificate of Legal Education from the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago, according to same release.

He is qualified, but locals need not apply   

He was called to the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in 1996 and previously served as Crown Counsel I in the Attorney General’s Chambers and Magistrate for the District Court in St Lucia.

His specialties are in the areas of Criminal Law and Civil Litigation (High Court and Appellate Jurisdiction), Corporate Law and General Legal Practice.

He is a member of the Saint Lucia Bar Association and affiliated with the Simons Muirhead & Burton Death Penalty Project in the United Kingdom.

The GIS statement noted that “Mr Innocent will be responsible for trying persons charged with summary offences, conducting preliminary inquiries into indictable offences, trying civil actions founded in contract or tort where the amount claimed does not exceed $10,000, hearing and determining applications made under the Juvenile Act; hearing and determining all complaints laid under the Physical Planning Act;  serving as Coroner, and conducting inquests into unnatural deaths occurring within the Territory; supervising the execution of writs and supervising and managing the judicial operations of the Magistrate's Courts in the Territory.”

Many residents have maintained there were local Attorneys who could have sit-in for the six months and accused the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government of discrimination against locals.

Co Leader of Government Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL), had said a few years ago that there is nothing that can be done to protect locals.

19 Responses to “Another St Lucian gets top Job in VI ”

  • Anonymous (12/09/2018, 13:52) Like (25) Dislike (21) Reply
    st. lucain run things mehson
    • Anonymous 2 (12/09/2018, 16:21) Like (7) Dislike (12) Reply
      you know it!!
    • Youth (23/09/2018, 09:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Apply for the jobs when they are advertised. We need to stop stifling one another and if we are good let us get the chance.
      As for the port and the prison we all no the we need someone strong, unbias, and experience. The things that happen up in that prison is ridiculous, we need law and order up there.

      The port needs a over haul from top right down to the bottom. Cline was doing good but greed get him where he is. We need serious people running the port if we have to get rid of some of the heads you got to because they don’t listen. The do thing to please them and not the country. Getting rid of people who want to work and make a difference and holding on to people who can please them.

      Me son those days are over

      These days are who can do the job we are a global world and we have to comply.

      Many of us don’t want to and that why many of us names are stain locally and internationally


  • goat (12/09/2018, 14:04) Like (32) Dislike (21) Reply
    This is some Bull $hit!

    It needs to STOP!
  • BVIslander with Roots Here (12/09/2018, 14:40) Like (41) Dislike (11) Reply
    "Co Leader of Government Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL), had said a few years ago that there is nothing that can be done to protect locals."

    That statement Irks me regardless of who it is coming from. It's a very dangerous statement and I do not know why this man was not challenged when he made that devil inspired assumption.
  • Hmmmm (12/09/2018, 14:45) Like (51) Dislike (53) Reply
    Locals have to blame themselves. Their names are stained all over as been greedy and corrupt..
    • Foolishness (12/09/2018, 15:48) Like (37) Dislike (15) Reply
      You corrupt! and foreigners are not corrupt? What a disingenuous statement to make. I am sure in their own country they too are corrupt.
  • concern (12/09/2018, 15:38) Like (28) Dislike (11) Reply
    We have local lawyers way more qualify than that. With law degrees from top law school in USA and Canada. Also from uk.
  • LIT (12/09/2018, 15:40) Like (24) Dislike (6) Reply
    Were any locals even given an opportunity to apply for this job position? I mean was this a job that was advertised, given persons opportunity to apply or was this job just appointed to someone who isn't from here?
  • Tired (12/09/2018, 15:45) Like (35) Dislike (5) Reply
    We are getting tired of this now
  • chad (12/09/2018, 15:55) Like (46) Dislike (2) Reply
    When is election?
  • i from here (12/09/2018, 18:07) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
    look at all the locals lawyers who got laid off
  • WOWW (12/09/2018, 18:12) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    Do the NDP owe St Lucia for keeping our prisoners or something, what happen to our locals
  • We say (12/09/2018, 21:05) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    Nothing will happen if people are not ready and willing to stand up and make their voices heard. We continue to hide behind nicknames and the blogs from fear of retaliation. Notice I said We cuz I am just as guilty. It is time to stand up and say enough is enough. Raise voices in unison against injustice and unfair practices. But then again let's make sure that due process was not served and that locals were indeed slighted.
  • Jessica Jones (13/09/2018, 08:35) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    And one will be principal of ESHS soon. SMH
  • Michael (13/09/2018, 12:49) Like (61) Dislike (9) Reply
    You must ask if any BVIslander applied for the post and if so, whether they were sufficiently qualified instead of making stupid comments. Furthermore, are you stupid people realize that Saint Lucia is a member of the OECS and that the Office of the Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean, a Native BVIslander is situated in Saint Lucia? Come on people, these are our Caribbean brothers and sisters. Let’s stop being so small minded.
  • USVI MAN (14/09/2018, 11:21) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
    The B.V.I have a record for badmind and grudge. It's the most small minded people in the whole world. Them alone must come to your country and get top jobs, but nobody can't get top jobs in their country without they say anything. Do on to other as you will like them do to you. Soon u all will have to get a visa to come to st.thomas. Over the years our grovernment been watching you and the badmind u all have other people. Stop be so badminded towards your caribbean brothers, we all are one.


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