UPDATE: Dr J.S. Archibald, QC to step down March 1
Among those being honoured in what is now the ninth year of the Heroes Day tradition at the church, were Dr Joseph S. Archibald, QC., Alexander O. Shirley, MBE and Althea Samuels.
Dr Archibald, the Head of Chambers of the law firm that bears his name, in accepting his award promised to step down from the position on March 1, 2013 leaving his daughter, Patricia Archibald-Bowers as head of the firm. Dr Archibald also stated that he would be leaving the role of leader of his company, J.S. Archibald Trust Services Ltd, to another daughter. He advocated for a continuation of the tradition of succession within families in the Virgin Islands noting that the O'Neal, Shirley and Thomas families had done the same. Dr Archibald has been a practitioner and barrister (trial lawyer) since 1968.
Dr Archibald migrated from his homeland in Nevis and continued to practice in the Virgin Islands; his experience having taken him through all court levels of the Caribbean, from the Magistrate’s Court to the Court of Appeal and also to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in England.
Dr Archibald was also credited with taking the name of the Virgin Islands further afield through his exceptional competence and finesse to not only balance his propriety for law, but also through lending his accomplishments within the law to the Territory.
According to his biography, read by Ayanna S. Hull, he has served as one of the first Presidents of the BVI Bar Association and also the OECS Bar Association where he helped in shaping the rules and guidelines for ethical practices and behaviour of barristers and solicitors who were admitted to practice at the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. Dr Archibald also served as the High Court Registrar, Magistrate, Senior Crown Counsel, President of the Civil Service Association, Director of Public Prosecutions, Attorney General and Member of both the Executive and Legislative Councils.
Alexander O. Shirley, MBE was recognised for his service to the government and his service to the people of the Virgin Islands as well. He served in various capacities with the VI government including as Acting Financial Secretary, Acting Commissioner of Inland Revenue and Accountant General.
Described by Bernell Wattley as a true lover of sports, MrShirley was recognised for his tremendous contribution to the Territory’s affairs with the naming of an important space, the A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground, in his honour. He was also a past treasurer of the BVI Recreation Trust and past officer and member of the BVI Cricket Association.
Upon receiving the award, Mr Shirley said, “I am a man of few words” before adding that he has always tried to remain selfless in doing anything that he did for the community and thanking the church for bestowing the award.
The surprise honouree on the list, Althea Samuels, came to the service under the impression that there would be a special tribute to her mother, whose death anniversary was also observed. The tribute was read by her sister.
A nurse, Samuels was described as having a phenomenal impact on the family and being a tower of strength. She was also recognised as being a testimony to the fact that "you do not have to own the spot where you fall, but can also get up and move on from the struggles you encounter in life."
The annual ceremony of recognising three stalwarts in the Virgin Islands at the NLBC is usually held during Black History month in February of each year.
30 Responses to “UPDATE: Dr J.S. Archibald, QC to step down March 1”
archi had better hang it up now that his best have left and gone on their own. his dau... will soon be looking work if she keep up the nonsense at that establishment. sad.
leave the Tortola people to kill each other and bring each other down-that's the only thing they do well. Its the man place. He build it for over 40 years and is he child. He do what he want with he ting. Because people don't call a public meeting for the opinion of the public on their personal lives, all ah you want to throw $h1t on them. I hope you have a business (or let's say a legacy) to leave for your own children.
P... knows nothing about running a firm...is a total W..i....t..c...h.. and has no people skills... Poor Archi, there should of been someone else...
I thought the jamdown sitting next to that one say them nah married, ah good ting I never give he the time ah day, but he @$$ brung up now, he get in the right frig now. Haha hehe. Thanks VINO for showing the BVI he finger wid de ring. Lord Oh
I guess this the end of jsa & co, he d@.......r aint experience to run a firm, she still dipping her toes in the water. jsa&co staff keep changing every month, nobody want work there. When i start aint seeing people that been there for years, i knew that was it.
Sincerely,
Angel M. Rivera- Bretaña
Puerto Rico