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Should constitutional offices have fixed-term appointments?- HoA report

There are several constitutional offices in the Virgin Islands. Positions such as Attorney General, Director of Public Prosecutions, the Complaints Commissioner, Auditor General and Register of Interests, to name a few. Photo: VINO/File
The Complaints Commissioner is a constitutional office in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
The Complaints Commissioner is a constitutional office in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
The House of Assembly (HoA), in a Committee of the whole House reviewing the Lisa E. Penn-Lettsome constitutional report, considered whether certain constitutionally established offices should shift from having open-ended tenures to fixed terms that can be renewed. Photo: VINO/File
The House of Assembly (HoA), in a Committee of the whole House reviewing the Lisa E. Penn-Lettsome constitutional report, considered whether certain constitutionally established offices should shift from having open-ended tenures to fixed terms that can be renewed. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- There are several constitutional offices in the Virgin Islands. Positions such as Attorney General, Director of Public Prosecutions, the Complaints Commissioner, Auditor General and Register of Interests, to name a few.

The House of Assembly (HoA), in a  Committee of the whole House reviewing the Lisa E. Penn-Lettsome constitutional report, considered whether certain constitutionally established offices should shift from having open-ended tenures to fixed terms that can be renewed.

The goal was to modernise governance by allowing regular renewals and performance-based continuity, while still protecting independence with secure tenure during the term and constitutional safeguards for removal.

Committee Decision

The House Committee of all elected members agreed that specified constitutional offices should be held for defined renewable terms, and that term expiry should be treated as natural expiration rather than removal.

Elected Members also agreed that the Attorney General should be treated differently under the adopted Bermuda-style model, with fixed-term tenure applying only where the office is held by a public officer.

Therefore, a constitutional amendment was proposed on this matter to give effect to the Members' position for the London-based constitutional negotiations.

Rationale

The Committee of the elected members acknowledged that indefinite tenure has traditionally been regarded as a safeguard for the independence of key oversight offices. However, the Committee considered that renewable fixed terms, combined with clear constitutional guarantees of independence and established removal procedures, can provide an appropriate balance between institutional autonomy and accountability.

Members also emphasised the need for careful transitional provisions to preserve accrued rights and avoid uncertainty.

There continues to be widespread concerns about the performance and integrity of some persons holding constitutional offices and whether they continue to act in the best interest of the Territory or use their offices as weapons to victimise and terrorise residents.

12 Responses to “Should constitutional offices have fixed-term appointments?- HoA report”

  • facts (04/05/2026, 07:43) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    That last paragraph is so accurate bam
    • DPP needs to be fired (05/05/2026, 08:11) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Do whatever is necessary to dump the DPP immediately.
  • … (04/05/2026, 08:35) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    All of them need to go
  • hmm (04/05/2026, 08:36) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yall need to fix the sign! and stop use that picture too
  • True That (04/05/2026, 10:19) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    It will also lessen the possibility of corruption as well. Powerful influence has corrupted many in long-term positions. Quid Pro Quo.
  • Time Limit needed badly (04/05/2026, 18:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mostly the Office of the DPP ---NEED TERM LIMIT RENEW IF WORKING WELL IF NOT WORKING WELL GO HOME
  • Deh Commenter (04/05/2026, 19:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hehehehe.....

    Style on them Premier bout they want term limits on Politicians. " Sen uhm hoome"

    Lolol.........look who ayo vote for.
  • Me (04/05/2026, 20:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who in charge of that building sign? It is embarrassing that the AG'S office is right there and that sign missing the "O"

  • ausar (05/05/2026, 01:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    YES!

    Offer suggestions, and allow the public to vote on such!
  • TruDat! (06/05/2026, 18:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Magistrates Court too.


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