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A broken judicial system in VI: No justice, lack of Judges

- especially in civil cases, including claims against parties & the State
Serious concerns have been raised about the judicial system in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source
Many court cases in the Virgin Islands are reportedly yet to be addressed since the departure of Judge Sonya Young in July 2024, Photo: belizejudiciary.org
Many court cases in the Virgin Islands are reportedly yet to be addressed since the departure of Judge Sonya Young in July 2024, Photo: belizejudiciary.org
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) under both a UK Commissioner and the Governor has been at an all-time low. Photo: Facebook/File
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) under both a UK Commissioner and the Governor has been at an all-time low. Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The one-man Commission of Inquiry (CoI) headed by UK national Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom deliberately overlooked investigating the Judicial System during the infamous CoI where they claimed that residents and elected officials were corrupt but subjects under the United Kingdom-appointed Governor, like the Courts and the Police, were well run.

However, the evidence is very much the opposite. The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) under both a UK Commissioner and the Governor has been at an all-time low. The Police Commissioner himself, Mark Collins, was publicly accused by his own police officers of 55 counts of corruption.

Court needs investigating for its practices   

The court system is another area where there are troubling signs that residents are not getting justice and their rights continue to be blatantly violated, with no end in sight and nowhere to turn to outside of racking up huge attorney fees to defend one’s self. While attention has been paid to the commercial side of the courts, with adequate judges and in some instances to the Criminal side, notwithstanding they are short of Judges, legal matters and the right to a fair and speedy trial in civil matters are very unpleasant for the little man and women seeking hearings and justice.

Since the abrupt departure of Judge Sonya Young in July 2024, with no replacement in sight (Judge Heather Felix-Evans should be acting soon), legal matters having to do with civil matters (cases that Judge Young had) are allegedly still opened as many wait on judgments, persons suing the Government, and other parties, have been left in limbo.

Even a Judicial Review hearing cannot be heard. This is another violation because the rule gives a 30-day hearing time frame, and many residents and even persons incarcerated must wait for months, sometimes years. It also means that residents cannot file for an emergency hearing in a timely manner, giving the state the right to come after them arbitrarily and sometimes with trumped-up changes.

Only the Lawyers getting paid

Many Attorneys who visit the jurisdiction from overseas on behalf of clients are often told the cases are postponed or adjourned as there are no Judges to hear them. This means that many people are stuck with huge legal bills while waiting for months and months for justice.

There are also many inmates for over five years at HM Prison at Balsam Ghut, Tortola on remand and without signs of a trial. This is another blatant violation of their rights and fundamental freedoms.

It is unclear what Governor Daniel Pruce, who has this portfolio, is doing to address these vexing concerns, with these legal tyranny experienced by many who are accused, along with their families in the Territory.

It was just last week that one HMP inmate Nyron A. Erickson, through his attorney Huge Wildman, cried out about his client being held illegally with no charges against him, another example of the pattern and history of injustice that is practiced in the British Overseas Territory of the Virgin Islands.

11 Responses to “A broken judicial system in VI: No justice, lack of Judges”

  • Rubber Duck (04/11/2024, 14:18) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Criminal court system in the bvi has been dogged by a backlog of cases in recent years, resulting in victims of violent crime waiting years for their applications to be heard.
    • rest (04/11/2024, 17:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Everything going fail and fall the wicked going be rooted out of the land
  • legal team (04/11/2024, 14:21) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    the Government of the day needs to pass legislation to speed up court hearing
  • jack in the box (04/11/2024, 14:22) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Leave Cindy she is not wearing a wig
  • wondering (04/11/2024, 14:44) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    "There are also many inmates for over five years at HM Prison at Balsam Ghut, Tortola on remand and without signs of a trial. This is another blatant violation of their rights and fundamental freedoms."

    Who is to be blamed for this situation? There are sitting judges available for the Criminal Court, but each time they come to Court, all you have is Reporting Matters. Why aren't trials being listed? There are matters for retrial sent back by the Court of Appeal and to this day, they can't get on the Criminal List. Who should be held responsible for this sad state of affairs?

    There are currently TWO, not one, but TWO judges assigned to the Criminal Court and still the court is being run inefficiently. Who is to be held responsible for not giving accused persons their day in court? I will say one thing, it's not the Court itself, I can assure you of that.
  • Roger Burnett (04/11/2024, 14:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Over 30 years ago, my pamphlet "Justice in Jeopardy" prodded the barriers of the legal profession.

    Members of the British Virgin Island Bar Association threatened to “sue the shirt off my back” if the publication went to press and the threat was backed up by a Court Order banning the publication.
    • Publish else where (04/11/2024, 17:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Use their own trickery against them , publish in a juristriction where the are unable to sue you and if necessary use a noms de plume.Rope a dope them with those same laws they use to ruin people.
  • Frozen (04/11/2024, 15:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don’t believe the delays in providing trial dates or quick trials for the accused are due to a lack of judges. The real issue seems to lie in the DPP’s office, where cases are being prolonged due to insufficient evidence and information. This pattern of delays is not only unnecessary but also unfair, as it holds people’s lives in limbo without just cause. Justice should be timely, and when cases are stalled like this, it raises serious concerns about fairness and accountability in our legal system.
  • Shameful (04/11/2024, 15:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    No wonder dem does lose case, by time the case come run ppl forget what dem want say.
  • Gov and Police Pic (04/11/2024, 15:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why? This is entirely in the hands of the ever failing government. Nothing to do with the Gov.
  • fact (04/11/2024, 17:15) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    it have people in jail sending hits(why the cellmates have phones?).. it had people who was in jail for murder got freed then commit more murders... life in the bvi


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