Speaker Willock moves to Court of Appeal
A public statement from the law firm representing the HoA and by extension the Government of the Virgin Islands, Veritas Law, noted that while Mr Vanterpool was successful in his claim that his resignation was not valid, the matter will now have to move to a higher court for a final decision.
Court of Appeal to rule
“As the Honourable Speaker had indicated before, he is prepared to comply with the decision of the Courts. Under section 87 (6) the Court in this instance includes the Court of Appeal which is the final decision maker in matters of this nature.”
The statement went on to say, “Having reviewed the judgment of the Honourable Justice Ann-Marie Smith and the relevant law on the subject matter, the Speaker has been advised that there are merits and a good prospect of success on an appeal.”
In further justifying the move, Veritas Law’s position is that the “matter is of such judicial importance that this is an opportunity for the Country to set a precedent in an area that has gone too long untouched.”
The law firm noted that a path of guidance must be paved so that future elected members understand the importance of their roles.
“As such, having reviewed the matter and acting on legal advice, the Speaker has decided to appeal the decision of the Honourable Justice Smith so that the Court of Appeal, which will be the final court to decide the matter pursuant to our Constitution, be given the opportunity to fully ventilate these important issues surrounding our Country’s governance,” they implored.
Silence until now
Today May 7, 2019, Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) had sought comments on the ruling from the Speaker, given his silence since May 2. In both inquiries as to whether the ruling of Justice Smith will be respected or whether an appeal will follow, the Speaker declined to comment.
Veritas Law said some may see the appeal as a deliberate act to prevent Mr Vanterpool from serving the District (D4) constituents, however, they noted “nothing is further from the truth.”
The release further cited the “love” Mr Vanterpool has for his constituency as being "undoubted", but said the actions of the Member-elect must be, "tried and proven true by the Court".
It said an appeal against the decision ought not to be viewed as a personal attack on Mr Vanterpool and the law firm expects that the matter expedited in the Court of Appeal, given the matter of urgency.
Through the law firm, the HoA is being represented by a team of four lawyers, including Anand Ramlogan SC, former Attorney General (AG) of Trinidad and Tobago, along with Jared Jagroo. Mr Valston M. Graham, current Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), St Kitts and Nevis is the owner of Veritas Law.
Click here to download Notice of Appeal- Julian Willock v Mark Vanterpool et al
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24 Responses to “Speaker Willock moves to Court of Appeal”
You're a fool. I worked at two establishments where people resigned....didn't like where they went to AND came back AND was rehired. Mark was WRONG BUT Speaker is no different.
I wish I could resign from my job, and come like “Yea, I know that I resigned, but I change my mind.” Haha
Idiot who is loosing, we people of the 4th and that willock, mark is good,!
And some may see it as a way for Veritas Law to rack up additional counsel time so that their fee note is that much greater. Of course at the end of the day at the tax payers expense whilst civil servants are being asked to hold on account of monies not being available.
If in fact the constitution needs changing so that there is no repeat of this saga does the government need a win at the court of appeals to prove this? Look at the trend so far. Attorney General, Governor, BVI High Court , agrees with Mark. What makes this ( none indigenous) law firm think they can be successful in a higher court? Really?????
“Fire either burns-out or purifies its object.” Organic intelligence- just keeping it real amongst the multitudes. For how could one truly know heaven if one has never been through hell. Paying it forward.
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” Sun Tzu
More simply put. If you know others and know yourself, in a hundred battles- one need not fuss, the winner will eventually emerge; if you do not know others but know yourself- you win some, you lose some; if you do not know others and do not know yourself, expect defeat every single time.
IOO, first judgment, seemingly orchestrated by an appointed overseer of the land, the inside baba, and the learned judge- all out of the same box/one group mind relying upon limited constitutional references on the matter, and as such, needed to be challenged. Popular shortcuts in the process may not always pan-out to be the correct approach for long-term solutions.
However, if we keep getting distracted by the messengers and lose the messages, as the Hon. Fahie would say, interpreted otherwise, other forces are eagerly strategizing for the takeover. For we need be reminded that diamond and gold are found between dirt and stones. Humans are born between urine and feces. And- Christ was born between animals (urine and feces) and hay.
For all those who continuously try to keep our people in perpetual darkness, the consciously aware guardians are on watch.
On other concerns:
The few physical beings (not limited to) making valuable contributions in the public square at the moment, are:
Mr Gerard St. C. Farara- on the “Urgency” for a VI National Strategic Vision Plan in congruent with Constitution Reform, accordingly. To accomplish this, is to chart our path more clearly. Take heed, “for poverty of the mind becomes an affliction to one’s being.”
And,
Pastor John Cline- on mass push back necessary for any enforced legislation of the LGBT with their continuing alphabet agenda. For nature teaches us everything we need to learn; abnormalities in nature bear no fruits- thus, never become the norm; everything else is a “defect” imposed by supposedly “born that way” genetically modified beings.
“Live and let live,” but their “will” should never be imposed as law (of destructive spirit-filled alters) upon the land- for there will be no end to their destruction, artificial inclinations and assimilations.
JC, CSC, Former Hon. Pickering, Pastor Mel, and all the other religious and spiritual leaders must rise up against agents of mass destructive spirit-filled alters, seeking to gain traction upon our lands.
Worry not what others may say about spiritual warriors on this particular issue. For no matter the enemies (internal or external)- “take a stance and stand in the realm of eternal spiritual truth.” We must not fall victims to the offerings of their golden calf.
Pay attention- its all strategic, introduced through their gradual social deceptions of normalcy. Investigate logically, discern accurately, and “overstand” their motives expeditiously.
Lot’s said, pick your battle.
More on these issues will be forthcoming when the battle line draws near.