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VI pays '2.7 times more in court fees than other jurisdictions' under ECSC- Daniel F. Davies

- makes complaint to Complaints Commissioner
Young local lawyer Mr Daniel F. Davies has reportedly made a complaint to the Complaints Commissioner for what he said was the inequality in court fees the Virgin Islands is made to pay to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) in contrast to other jurisdictions under the ECSC. Photo: Facebook/ECSC
Mr Daniel F. Davies has confirmed to our news centre that he has raised the matter with the Complaints Commissioner. The Complaints Commissioner (CC) Mrs. Erica R. Smith-Penn (in photo). Photo: GIS/File
Mr Daniel F. Davies has confirmed to our news centre that he has raised the matter with the Complaints Commissioner. The Complaints Commissioner (CC) Mrs. Erica R. Smith-Penn (in photo). Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Young local lawyer Mr Daniel F. Davies has reportedly made a complaint to the Complaints Commissioner for what he said was the inequality in court fees the Virgin Islands is made to pay to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) in contrast to other jurisdictions under the ECSC.

VI paying 2.7X more in court fees- Davies

Mr Davies, who unsuccessfully contested the 2023 General Elections as an Independent At Large Representative, is arguing that the VI pays 2.7 times more in court fees than other jurisdictions under the Supreme Court.

“For example, a notice of application is $42 USD (including the portal administrative fees) in the BVI. In Antigua and Barbuda it is $42EC. Why is the BVI paying more for filings for the same services?” Mr Davies asked.

Further, Mr Davies, an Attorney At Law with Silk Legal, said despite there being online filings, the VI is still required to print physical copies for the court.

“There is little to no point in having the ELP, if physical copies are still required and we are now required to pay more in fees than we were when there were paper filings.”

‘Highly unjust’

With respect to the filing of bundles, Mr Davies said it is “highly unjust that we have to pay for the filing of a bundle of documents, when the documents contained therein have already been paid for.”

He reasoned that, given that it is online filing, it also makes little to no sense that different documents attract different fees.

“It shouldn't make a difference to the court as to what document is filed, given that the court office is not required to do anything or even print the filed document.”

Mr Davies, who came to prominence as a lawyer representing House of Assembly members who were not ministers before the United Kingdom (UK) sponsored Commission of Inquiry in 2022, has confirmed to our news centre that he has raised the matter with the Complaints Commissioner.

“I have made a complaint to the Complaints Commissioner regarding the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court,” Mr Davies stated.

16 Responses to “VI pays '2.7 times more in court fees than other jurisdictions' under ECSC- Daniel F. Davies”

  • street reporter. (02/06/2023, 15:50) Like (19) Dislike (5) Reply
    Courageous Fighter, fighting for a goof cause...Good my brother...Stay focus. U on the right track..
    • Check the Lawyers Too (03/06/2023, 06:51) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Some of these charging over 10 gran when they barely spent anytime on your matter.

      Something must be done about that as well.
    • Silk law fees (03/06/2023, 14:00) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Are also 2.7 times what they would be elsewhere in the ECSC! Drop your fees Daniel!
  • resident (02/06/2023, 15:53) Like (6) Dislike (11) Reply
    Because the BVI operates in USD; the court staff get paid in USD etc....
  • Time to vote (02/06/2023, 16:16) Like (19) Dislike (11) Reply
    Is the the best or worse lawyer in the BVI. Click like for best and click dislike for worse.
  • concern (02/06/2023, 16:30) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
    Here’s someone concerned about saving money. No wonder he wasn’t elected lol.
  • Warrior (02/06/2023, 17:25) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is my fearless worrier. Young but with much to offer. time to let the world know they have a voice and mind you don't try to shut them down because they will rise and outshine the rest of us as educated and experienced as we are. Treat them fair and well.
  • get (02/06/2023, 18:16) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    A job
  • Disinterested (02/06/2023, 18:47) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    What power, if any, does the Complainant Commissioner has? The Complainant Commissioner is a paper tiger with its findings and recommendations often ignored.
  • party party (02/06/2023, 19:44) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    If this man had joined a party he could win an election
  • K.C. (03/06/2023, 02:37) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
    What is silk underpants complaining about a US $42 fee for court filings, I'm sure it matters when calculating clients billing. After all, true silks charge a premium for their legal wisdom
  • Outsider (03/06/2023, 05:07) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
    Well done Daniel. Keep at it. You had a really great run at the last election too.
  • Black Silk (03/06/2023, 10:18) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    @KC and anyone else who wants to make light of this, Daniel is very much correct. For example, we will all pay the price when a family member dies as probate stamping and filing fees have increased from @$100 to @1,500. This has nothing to do with what you pay as legal fees. I used probate as an example as that affects all of us. Of course, filing fees for commercial court matters have also sky-rocked but these were too low for a long time to support the cost of running that court.
  • Hmm (03/06/2023, 12:10) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    How come the Great Myron didn't noticed this???
  • Guest (03/06/2023, 15:46) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    If you pay the BVI Court staff in Eastern Caribbean Dollars, then you can charge for the services in ECD. But as long as you are paying them in US Dollars the fees will have to be commensurate.
  • ECSC (05/06/2023, 10:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hmmmm legal fees the market decided or collusion.

    This place ain’t ready for the heavy lifting.


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