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Why AG said CoI lawyers should be called to Bar then denied injunction?- 'Edju En Ka'

- Attorney General Dawn J. Smith blasted for decisions in CoI court case
Attorney General Dawn J. Smith blasted by Cromwell Smith for decisions in CoI court case after saying lawyers broke law yet refused to give permission for injunction. Photo: VINo/File/GIS
The question of why and what motivated the decision of the AG, was brought up on the Monday, November 15, 2021, edition of the Umoja Show on ZBVI 780am, by Host Cromwell Smith aka ‘Edju En Kn’ while he was interviewing guest, Hon Willock on the CoI Court case issue and ruling of Judge [Ag] Mr Adrian Jack. Photo: Facebook/File
The question of why and what motivated the decision of the AG, was brought up on the Monday, November 15, 2021, edition of the Umoja Show on ZBVI 780am, by Host Cromwell Smith aka ‘Edju En Kn’ while he was interviewing guest, Hon Willock on the CoI Court case issue and ruling of Judge [Ag] Mr Adrian Jack. Photo: Facebook/File
Andrew King, left, and Bilal M. Rawat, right, are two of the three lawyers currently assisting the UK-sponsored Virgin Islands (VI) Commission of Inquiry (CoI) and have been accused of practicing law in the territory while not being called to the BVI Bar, a violation of the Legal Professions Act 2015. Photo: Internet Source
Andrew King, left, and Bilal M. Rawat, right, are two of the three lawyers currently assisting the UK-sponsored Virgin Islands (VI) Commission of Inquiry (CoI) and have been accused of practicing law in the territory while not being called to the BVI Bar, a violation of the Legal Professions Act 2015. Photo: Internet Source
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – Attorney General (AG) Hon Dawn J. Smith has come under criticisms over a decision to not give permission to House of Assembly Speaker, Hon Julian Willock in a court injunction against the three Commission of Inquiry Lawyers accused of practicing law without first being called to the BVI Bar, after she agreed they had broken the law.

The question of why and what motivated the decision of the AG was brought up on the Monday, November 15, 2021, edition of the Umoja Show on ZBVI 780AM, by host Cromwell Smith aka ‘Edju En Ka’ while he was interviewing guest, Hon Willock on the CoI Court case issue and ruling of Judge [Ag] Mr Adrian Jack.

According to Hon Willock, he had filed an injunction as a party in the CoI to stop the three lawyers; Bilal M. Rawat acting as Counsel and Andrew King, along with Rhea Harrikissoon, acting as Solicitors, from practicing law in alleged violation of the VI laws since March 2021.

AG being intimidated by 3rd party? 

Before the injunction, Hon Willock and Deputy Speaker Hon Neville A. Smith (AL) had filed an objection to the lawyers' application to be called to the Bar and the first matter was still before the courts. 

Hon Willock indicated it was after the injunction was filed, that his legal team was made aware that they needed the permission of the Attorney General, who after correspondence, had never indicated that they needed her permission before. 

However, she had already put on the record that the three lawyers broke the law, the Speaker said, which further motivated the decision to file an injunction. 

“We Spoke to the Attorney General, she could not give us permission, because she already stated in writing that she is not objecting, so all we did was withdraw the case,” Hon Willock said.

Something is wrong with AG's decision - Smith 

Mr Smith then questioned what could have motivated the AG to not move ahead with a case against three persons accused of breaking the laws of the VI.

“Why would she say they should be called to the bar and then deny the permission?" Mr Smith asked.

“If she says they had to be called to the bar but ain’t give you permission for the injunction, certainly something is wrong with her decision,” Smith posited.

Attorney for Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon Julian Willock, Mr Richard G. Rowe said he intends to use the Attorney General’s own words against her in an upcoming court appearance in the matter involving the alleged illegal practice by three attorneys from the United Kingdom (UK) on the Commission of Inquiry (CoI). 

Justice Adrian Jack had said that the only thing missing to enable the injunction to be heard was the consent of the AG, as Hon Willock had no legal standing to carry forward the injunction on his own.

Hon Willock said he made it clear to the AG that his actions to file the injunction in court were motivated by the principles that the rule of law must be equal for all in the territory and that it was done on behalf of the people of the VI.

26 Responses to “Why AG said CoI lawyers should be called to Bar then denied injunction?- 'Edju En Ka'”

  • hmmm (16/11/2021, 14:09) Like (6) Dislike (16) Reply
    History old down fall of black people....there own who Deceit them ...she that weakest link in the chain of the virgin islands part to self determination. ...sell out
    • My girl (16/11/2021, 14:52) Like (8) Dislike (17) Reply
      Say it again, that is the #1 downfall of black people... and then to think Cindy and those other marching against the speaker, what a disgrace.
    • Obviously (16/11/2021, 16:10) Like (19) Dislike (5) Reply
      The ag never said the lawyers broke the law. All she said was they should apply to the bar. She didn’t say they should do so as a requirement for assisting the coi.
  • EDJOO ? (16/11/2021, 14:58) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    BECAUSE THEY ARE WORKING FOR HICKINBOTTOM , SO IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THAT RED TAPE / SO THE IMPORTANT THING WAS TO GET THIS
    COI OVER WITH AND FOCUS .ON GETTING THE COUNTRY UP AND RUNNING / SO WHY THE KING HAD TO BLOCK THE COI FROM GOING FORWARD ? ( BOTH OF U GOT A PROBLEM ?
  • tom cat (16/11/2021, 15:01) Like (3) Dislike (28) Reply
    We with you Willock keep the pressure on
  • Reciprocity (16/11/2021, 15:11) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    You know it is such a shame that wypiplo who make most money in the financial services industry, hardly one of them showed up to pay respect to and thank Dr. Mac today at the college. To whom much is given, much is required, you should never take more than you give and what is not appreciated is taken away.
    • trevor (17/11/2021, 08:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      What?
      Mr. Mac did not design nor bring the financial services here, he simply was in the role as the business grew.
      He, like yourself, should be thanking the industry for remaining here despite the hurdles and problems put in front of them by operating here.
      Learn how things work before you speak foolishness.
    • Check ya self! (17/11/2021, 08:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      That was an invitation-only event - please make sure they were invited before you say they never "showed up". I am a "wypiplo" in financial services who would have been there but never got the invitation.
  • Meli (16/11/2021, 15:43) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    I said it before and I'll say it again. Ayo going learn about that AG.
  • Sam (16/11/2021, 16:43) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Joanne should have been appointed as AG but they went with the lady from east end to get into ndp voters list
  • Missing IT (16/11/2021, 17:05) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Here we go again. Never gonna let it rest. It was a miss step by the AG. After appointing them, she should have follow through to ensure they are called to the bar. The framers of this law knew quite well that this requirement for registration could be use to frustrate a commission of inquiry, as is being attempted now, and so allow for the formality of automatic registration once they are appointed by the AG. This is just clutching at straws to by highlighting this misstep step to justify frustrating the commission.
  • brainwash (16/11/2021, 18:32) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    I'll say it again BVI is one of the most whitewash, brainwash, uncle tom countries on the planet. It is a fact that the Caribbean in general suffers from PTSD but BVI takes the cake. They are ashamed of even their own dialect hence it is hardly ever spoken and is all but dead. They are probably still slapping children in the mouth for using it. These types of tribalism is the result of this practice. It has been detrimental on many occasion when unity was needed. You will be sold out amongst these astronauts at the drop of a dime. Ask Noel Lloyd or anyone who has tried to stand up for a cause. Do these persons ever wonder where are we going. If you don't understand where you are coming from you can not have a real sense of direction. Lets see how quickly someone tries to muddy the waters to cause confusion as a smoke screen... we are very good at that and these are our heroes. Poor things.
  • Native Senior Citizen (16/11/2021, 18:33) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Whether or not it was a missteps by the AG or a step she miss all secret things done in unlawful darkness must be revealed by righteous light. The CoI has the better position on this issue, though.
    Someone must pay for violating our fundemental law, not me. Maybe a self claimed smathman will have to pay.
  • Observer (16/11/2021, 18:42) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    The AG in her published statement never said that the lawyers broke the law! She could not have uttered such since under her authorization/direction they were acting as legal officers thus no need to be called to the bar. There is nothing wrong with if they are now called to the bar to assist as special prosecutors!

    If Willock's actions was motivated by the principles that the rule of law must be equal for all in the territory and that it was done on behalf of the people of the VI, then the court has ruled. He need to pay the dam money and shut the hell up.

    • josiah'sbay (17/11/2021, 10:30) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      @Observer: I find it hard to understand your logic. Do the law exist? Did they obey it? No! If you cross against a red light do I have to declare that you did, for that law to have been broken? Give me a break! Base on our relationship with the UK, law is one of the few avenues we can exhibit any power that they are bound to respect so, why give them a pass?
      • Observer (18/11/2021, 19:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Sorry but I cannot think for you. Its plain and simple. Not everyone practising law need to be called to the bar. The law allow for persons who are appointed as legal officers to so function.

        Using your own logics, emergency vehicles can run a red light without any infringement against the law.
    • time will tell (17/11/2021, 13:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I wish I could have liked your comment 100 times with one click.
  • Dancing in the sunshine (16/11/2021, 22:41) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    The English language is one of the most technical language to comprehend. Phrases and sentences are interpreted according to the context in which they are used. According to one of the bloggers the AG did not admit that the lawyers for the COI did not break the law but but they should be admitted to the bar before practicing law in the Territory. That is so incomprehensible . The AG should have stood her ground and sanctioned the offending lawyers of the COI.

    The days of obeying the MASSA are over and it is time for us to unite in order to defeat the White Supremist. Our enemies in the Territory are the descendants of the slave master who are returning to retake their colonies from the
    descendant of slave. Time will tell.
    • Thank God. (17/11/2021, 06:26) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      She is a real person...She made a mistake and corrected it..Thats what real people do. She ended up did the right thing...She is one of the few that deserves the Title "Hon" before her name...
      • josiah'sbay (17/11/2021, 10:38) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        @Thank God: She did not correct the mistake she side stepped it. Para phasing, she said she wouldn't object to the late application request oppose to saying that they were in breach and must file it.
  • Malpu (17/11/2021, 05:16) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    Sonny boy cromwell needs to shut up. Why does he even go by the name Edju En Ka? Sounds like something you utter at the ending of casting high science.
  • @ eN KA (17/11/2021, 17:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    since you playing judge now , where is your voice on the findings of the (COI ) and what are your thoughts on them
  • Norris Turnbull (17/11/2021, 18:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    No guts, no glory. Not patriotic. Fraid to do their dam jobs and protect the virgin Islands. Darn sell out.
  • @ NORRIS TUNbuLLy (17/11/2021, 19:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    HOW CAN YOU PROTECT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FROM THE VERY SAME ( CROOKED VIRGINISLANDERS WHO ARE MANIPULATING THEIR OWN COUNTRY PEOPLE , EH ?- ( WHAT A TANGLED WEB THEY WEAVE


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