UPDATE: Premier Smith Shows Support To EC Supreme Court Chief Justice
This news site was privileged, though our team of reporters around the region, to obtain a copy of the notice, along with letters signed by Queen Elizabeth II dated September 2012.
The first woman to be appointed in an acting capacity and now confirmed to the position of Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Justice Janice Mesadis George-Pereira, had some wonderful words of advice for the younger persons in the legal field when a Special Sitting of the Court of Appeal to congratulate Her Ladyship on her recent historic appointment was held in the Virgin Islands on Monday, October 1, 2012.
The occasion was also used to welcome the Hon. Madame Louise Blenman of Guyana and the Hon. Mario Michel of St. Lucia as Justices of Appeal.
Her Ladyship Pereira, who is from North Sound, Virgin Gorda, was first appointed to act as Chief Justice following the retirement of Nevisian-born Sir Hugh Rawlins. Chief Justice Pereira is also the President of the Court of Appeal.
Following a showering of congratulations and praises on her by His Lordship Hon. Justice Albert Redhead, Attorney General Dr. Christopher Malcolm, Members of the Inner Bar, Director of Public Prosecutions Mr. Wayne L. Rajbansie, President of the BVI Bar Association, Ms. Keisha Durham and Member of the Utter Bar, Ms. Dawn Smith, Acting Chief Justice Pereira then proceeded to share her philosophy about life and her secret to success.
“Life is a journey. It winds through hills and valleys, empty spaces and crowded places. It is not a destination so it is not about the end of that journey but hard work and accumulation of experience along the way. It is those experiences, which account for where and what you are at any point in time,” The then Acting Chief Justice Pereira shared.
Her Ladyship also expressed gratitude for the many persons who she said touched her and moulded her into the person she is today. First to come in for recognition was her class teacher in Virgin Gorda, Mrs. Stephens, who she said, made a huge impact on her life.
Also mentioned were Dr. Quincy Lettsome and family and Dr Charles and Jennie Wheatley.
Gratitude was also expressed to the many persons, especially those women, who would have paved the way in the legal profession for her to be where she is today.
Justice Pereira graduated with a law degree with honours from the University of the West Indies in 1979, and the Legal Education Certificate from the Norman Manley Law School in 1981.
She was called to the Bar in the Virgin Islands in 1981 and the St. Kitts-Nevis Bar in 2000.
Between 1981 and 1984 she served as Acting Registrar General and Acting Registrar of the Supreme Court and Registrar of Companies in the Virgin Islands. Between 1981 and 1985 she served as Additional Magistrate and Acted as Magistrate in the Virgin Islands.
She was also an Associate Attorney at Law, J.S. Archibald and Company, Tortola, between 1985 and 1989; Associate Attorney, Harney Westwood & Riegels, Tortola, in 1989; and Attorney at Law (Civil Litigation, Commercial and Banking), McW Todman & Co (1991 to 2003).
Justice Pereira served as a law partner in Farara George-Creque & Kerrins and engaged in active practice at the Bar in the conduct of matters at all levels of the Courts from 1985 to 2003 in Tortola.
She was appointed as a High Court Judge in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court from 2003 to 2008 and the Court of Appeal from 2009 to 2012. It was during her appointment at the High Court that she served as Resident Judge in Anguilla.
The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) spans nine Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
Among the many distinguished persons in attendance at the Special Sitting were Governor Boyd McCleary; Premier, The Honourable Dr. D. Orlando Smith; Deputy Premier, Hon. Dr. Kedrick Pickering; Opposition Leader Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal, other members of the House of Assembly, and family and friends of Acting Chief Justice Pereira.
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31 Responses to “UPDATE: Premier Smith Shows Support To EC Supreme Court Chief Justice ”
Hmmm nonsence look how many lawyers has resign since Chief Justice Pereira got this position and look how many more will resign under her supervision. something is wrong. All the BVI government who voted for her to get the position will be sorry. all the good and honest lawyers will resign there will soon be n good lawyers we need to be carefull on the choices we make and the people we put in position.
Pasty why you don't stop chatting bull$h1t. She is not the Chief Justice of the BVI, it's of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. Are you really a jacka$$ or just pretending to be one? What stupidness you talking about lawyers leaving and BVI Government voting for her? LOL!! wow ,...