Hon Edward A. Bannister out! Hon Barry Leon in @ Commercial Court
Honourable Bannister was here in the territory since 2009 when the Commercial Court commenced its operation. He expressed his appreciation to all of those persons in the legal fraternity who made his experience a memorable one.
“Throughout our stay here we have had the extraordinary support of a large number of people and I just wanted to mention some of them,” he said. He said that the three Governors that he experienced during his tenure- David Peary, William Boyd McCleary and John S. Duncan have all been immensely supportive and encouraging.
“Ditto the current Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith and his immediate predecessor Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE (R9),” Honourable Justice Bannister said.
Incoming Justice Barry Leon, who comes from Canada, said that he is aware of the big shoes he has to fill in succeeding Honourable Justice Bannister.
He went on to acknowledge the contribution of Honourable Justice Bannister to the legal landscape of the Virgin Islands. “I can’t count the number of times within the past number of days that I have been told of the high bar [that was set] and I guess that this morning we heard of the tremendous standard that Mr Bannister has set,” he said.
He said that while there are significant challenges in the job that he is about to embark upon as the new Justice of the Commercial Court, he is committed to meeting those challenges.
“Also I know how much I will need the support of the Bar. I want to ask you for that support and assistance,” he said. “I do not have the experience or the knowledge that you have come [to know from Mr Barrister] but I am sure that with your assistance we would meet those standards,” he said.
“I have heard many times, especially from government leaders, how important the Commercial Court is here to support the financial services industry and the economy at large of the Virgin Islands,” he said, promising to do his best to meet all of the challenges of the Commercial Court.
He said that the competitors of the territory are not standing still and for that reason the Virgin Islands must keep itself up to speed. “If we just stand still we will fall behind…we must move ahead together to make changes where changes are needed. And I say we because all of us must do our respective parts in meeting the challenges,” he said.
Tributes for the two men came from Queen’s Counsels Gerard St C. Farara, Ms Dancia Penn, Lewis Hunte, Paul Webster, Sydney Bennett, John Carrington and Paul B. Dennis. Tributes also came from new Attorney General Honourable Baba Aziz.
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