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CoI team returning to restart hearings on Sept 6, 2021

- Inquiry determined to press on even as court case against its solicitors & counsel awaits hearing
From left: Commissioner Gary R. Hickinbottom and Secretary to the Commission, Steven Chandler. Photo: VINO/File
Andrew King & Bilal M. Rawat are two of the three Lawyers currently assisting with the works of the UK-sponsored Virgin Islands (VI) Commission of Inquiry (CoI) in the Virgin Islands, have been accused of practicing law in the territory & doing so while not being called to bar in violation of Legal Professional Act 2015. Photo: Internet Source
Andrew King & Bilal M. Rawat are two of the three Lawyers currently assisting with the works of the UK-sponsored Virgin Islands (VI) Commission of Inquiry (CoI) in the Virgin Islands, have been accused of practicing law in the territory & doing so while not being called to bar in violation of Legal Professional Act 2015. Photo: Internet Source
WICKHAM'S CAY II, Tortola, VI - The UK-Sponsored Virgin Islands (VI) Commission of Inquiry (CoI) will restart its hearings on Monday, September 6, 2021, according to CoI Secretary, Steven Chandler.

The news comes as lawyers Bilal M. Rawat, Andrew King and Rhea Harrikissoon, who are currently assisting with the works of the CoI have a case that is before the courts. The three have been accused of illegally practising law in the VI.

Additionally, to restart the CoI hearing under continuing COVID-19 restrictions, Commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom has issued an amended protocol concerning the provision of written evidence to allow for evidence to be admitted in unsworn form.

Chandler in a press statement this morning, August 24, 2021, said as such, the COI team will be returning to the Virgin Islands during the coming week.

It remains unclear, whether the returning CoI team will include the full trio, given the matter of whether they have been illegally practising law in the VI is still to be decided by the courts. 

Case still before the court 

Inquiries from Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) to CoI Secretary, Mr Chandler were not immediately returned to VINO up to publication time.

In the case brought by House of Assembly Speaker Hon Julian Willock and the Deputy Speaker of the HoA, the two object to applications for the three being admitted to formally practice law in the VI on the basis that the Applicants have been practising law in the Virgin Islands since March 2021, in breach of the Legal Profession Act.

The Speaker and Deputy Speaker also objected on the ground that the three held themselves out to be Barristers and Lawyers despite not having being admitted to practice law in the territory. 

The matter has since been adjourned to October 26, 2021, in the High Court by Judge Vicki Ann Ellis.

34 Responses to “CoI team returning to restart hearings on Sept 6, 2021 ”

  • Watchman II (24/08/2021, 08:59) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    The watchman is watching this with focus on justice and transparency. The law is the law no matter where you come from. Including our learned judges.
  • so it is (24/08/2021, 09:06) Like (6) Dislike (33) Reply
    When yuh white yuh right
  • More Entertainment. I Love it. (24/08/2021, 09:10) Like (36) Dislike (2) Reply
    Thry had / have enough time to meet all of COI demands and requests... I am waiting to hear what other creative excuses they will come up with....
  • Welcome back (24/08/2021, 09:20) Like (57) Dislike (3) Reply
    Bilal, we have missed you!

    A loyal fan
  • Cross eye (24/08/2021, 09:43) Like (28) Dislike (1) Reply
    LET THE GOOD TIMES ROOL..
  • The TRUTH (24/08/2021, 09:51) Like (6) Dislike (38) Reply
    Down with colonialism.
  • asking for a friend (24/08/2021, 09:51) Like (3) Dislike (47) Reply

    Gosh these rac**t again back to kill us?

  • Kept (24/08/2021, 10:32) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Which they should press on.
  • The CoI is ready to helping ease the pain that the black slave masters (politicians) have and are causing us. (24/08/2021, 11:20) Like (30) Dislike (3) Reply
    Only by ignorance and biasness we don't know. Only by stubborness we can't see. Only by hate we are so greedy. Only by pride we scorned the needy, and ignoring their right of equality.
    It is not the white man's knee that is now on top of our necks, squeezing the lifeair out of our lungs, it is primarily the our local political leaders knees. Believe it or not.
    Support the CoI needful efforts in regulating practical unjust authority misbehaving in the B.V.I.
  • Oh yeah (24/08/2021, 11:31) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    START THE MUSIC
  • Zoom (24/08/2021, 11:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Technology
  • facts (24/08/2021, 12:22) Like (7) Dislike (22) Reply
    The uk can find money for this but not to help us with schools and other items shame on the oppressors
    • hakeem (24/08/2021, 12:46) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      The gave us a prison yo
    • pride (24/08/2021, 14:17) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      But our leaders were so full of pride and arrogance that we turned aside help after Irma and since.
      • Styler (24/08/2021, 18:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Make sure who leaders you talking about for the pass leaders had too much pride they didn’t want the help they were well off.
    • Honestly too true (24/08/2021, 15:53) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
      After hurricane Irma they sent bird food the people threw away and sent soldiers to patrol meanwhile we were at peace because everyone knows each other.

      Truth is without an influx of foreigners to bring strange faces and crime that is our community’s foundation, helping each other.

      It’s called nepotism which it turns out works well on an island or other relatively closed system.

      Who wanted to commit murder against their enemy still did it and got away with it. I was more afraid the soldiers would shoot the dog that barked whenever they came around.

      They also sent a set of body bags but it turns out we don’t break when the wind blows.

      We asked for funding they told us we need to sign an agreement for 300million loan. Years later they still pushed it to be signed when it’s not needed.

      Dirty Economic Strategy to reign us in during our worst time.

      Then comes Covid 19 we ask them for funding they say the VI has healthy reserves to fund its own.

      The VI government made a stimulus initiative on their own from those healthy reserves and the same governor implemented this COI on f-in Martin Luther King Jr day.

      Did he not know what day it was no way. Couldn’t be. That & more is why he’s said to be a racist as well as these proceedings which were initiated by him who kept fighting with our premier.

      It’s childish if a COI was to be called that is not the way nor the time in the face of Covid. What starts bad can never have a solid foundation.

      VI people are watching and taking note from start to finish from plantation pumping out rum tobacco and sugar to bird sanctuary. Now it’s a economic hub again and we’re the center of attention, again.

      The $$$ will do that.

      • facts (24/08/2021, 16:53) Like (5) Dislike (10) Reply
        Now they plan to start back their hearings on the anniversary of Hurricane Irma! Coincidence? The signs are right there but selfishness and hate for our own people will let history be repeated. Like when will these people become our saviour? just like that? I think not. Oh how we are so ignorant after all that we have been through and still going through. B...people, get some pride, courage and sense...its time
    • Styler (24/08/2021, 18:22) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

      I quite agree with you. That tells us they don’t give a rats @## about us . Only this natural beauty of a piece of land they interested into

    • 1st District (24/08/2021, 19:52) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      @facts, the UK has weaned us a long time ago and we have showed them many times over that we cannot " police our selves". So they are stepping in!!
    • jah (24/08/2021, 22:49) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Facts : you got to be one of of the most uncomprehending fool that need to stay away from politics..what did social security donate there money towards?..what percentage are they government paying back social security for the loans that have been borrowed?why did Pourto rico block NHI insurance?
      • sit down (25/08/2021, 08:25) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        The granted it to help the people and many were helped. if you weren't helped its no need to be bitter. I didn't get any but I am glad who needed it got because I know people who received and were blessed. I don;t know about puerto rico blocking anything. But you seem to have the answers so share it! And tell me something, this is a reason Uk should come in? You sound like you went 'high' school. stop smoking sh!@ and come to reality.
  • Next steps... (24/08/2021, 13:54) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    Issue the illegally practicing persons with injunctions pending outcome of the October hearing and hold them in contempt of court if they proceed.
  • bbc (24/08/2021, 13:54) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    The british are coming
  • @ FACTS (24/08/2021, 14:12) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    OUR MASTER HAS SAID WE GOT THE DOLLARS TO SPEND ( SQUANDER ) SO WHY WOULD THEY ? ARE YOU LIVING IN IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE OR ARE YOU TRIPPING OUT ON CRACK
  • ... (24/08/2021, 16:28) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The black coats are coming! the black coats are coming! who ever watch twilight yall will get it haha... on a serious note we welcome this! transparency!
  • wake up (24/08/2021, 17:35) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's an inquiry! The criminal courts come after.
  • pt109 (24/08/2021, 18:01) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    @Honestly too true, I don't think that you were living in the BVI when you can write CRAP like this, After hurricane Irma they sent bird food the people threw away and sent soldiers to patrol meanwhile we were at peace because everyone knows each other, the BVI was out of order, criminals on the loose, lots of looting most people felt unsafe. So stop writing Crap.
    • Honestly (26/08/2021, 19:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I was here. You could see from here to there and hail your neighbor. Everything I wrote is true to my experience & the news at the time.

      Tell me what’s not true.

      Then months later when there was a curfew at 12pm it’s the same as now if not for covid you go out socialize and come back by the grace of god.

      People seem to forget this place has the most churches per square mile second only to the Vatican.
  • Yessuh! (24/08/2021, 22:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The comedy show resumes. Let me get my popcorn ready.
  • Observer (24/08/2021, 23:26) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    If they are practicing illegally, why not arrest and charge them? If that cannot or wont be done, it begs the question...who fooling who?
  • Each has a responsibilty.. (25/08/2021, 06:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The BVI government has a responsibility to act responsibly with tax payers money and to conduct business in the letter of good governance.....When they failed to do that, Then Britain has a responsibility to step in and bring remedy,, , Thats just the rule of been a colony....


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