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Justice is too 'expensive' in VI– Skelton-Cline

- said the average person would find it a real challenge
High Court of the Virgin Islands. Talk show host Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has bemoaned the high cost of getting justice in the territory and is questioning how the average person would be able to afford it. Photo: VINO/File
Talk show host Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has criticised the justice system in the Virgin Islands as placing undue pressure on citizens and making it difficult for poor people and the so called middle class to access justice. Photo: VINO/File
Talk show host Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has criticised the justice system in the Virgin Islands as placing undue pressure on citizens and making it difficult for poor people and the so called middle class to access justice. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Talk show host Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has bemoaned the high cost of getting justice in the territory and is questioning how the average person would be able to afford it.

He said he has personally experienced it, and he is now hearing the same concerns being raised by persons in society.

“I am hearing some concerns and I know it to be true in my own personal experience. Justice is expensive. It is hard to get justice! The court system in our society and how it functions in these Virgin Islands, justice is hard to come by because it is so expensive.

“The working, poor people even the so-called middle class can’t afford justice! The system takes too long, it drags you out, they weigh you down, you cannot afford lawyers, you cannot afford the court fees,” he remarked.

$5000 just for a transcript- Skelton-Cline

Speaking from his experience, Skelton-Cline recounted having to pay $5,000 for a transcript. 

“For a transcript! Now you explain that to me, how can the average person receive any justice in this society?”

Another area that Mr Skelton Cline raised during his show on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, was the blackouts by BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) to conduct system maintenance.

“I don’t understand why in this modern society we are continuing to have to shut down and the blackouts, no electricity from 11 at night to 6 in the morning. I don’t understand why we still doing that and why people have to be out of power for so long? I don’t get it.”

He said he plans to put those questions before the General Manager of the BVIEC Mr Leroy A. E. Abraham.

17 Responses to “Justice is too 'expensive' in VI– Skelton-Cline”

  • Remind Me (10/11/2021, 10:28) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    THINKING BACK ON " JUSTICE " I CAN'T RECALL WHAT WAS THE OUT COME OF HIS CASE , WHEN HE TOOK THE GOVT' TO COURT '" TING 2 TLK. "
  • Unconventional leadership (10/11/2021, 10:29) Like (62) Dislike (2) Reply
    One thing I find more expensive than justice is independent consultancy contracts for private individuals. Someone needs to have an audience with the Hon Premier on that don't you think.
  • wow (10/11/2021, 10:38) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dear Pastor, it is IGNORANCE that is tooo expensive!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • wow (10/11/2021, 10:47) Like (37) Dislike (2) Reply
    All I want to hear is that you CSC has given proof of what you have accomplished with the Tax Payers monies for Consulting what I don't know. Nothing you are mouthing bears no Reverence or insight to the People. Better yet, just pay back the Consulting Funds and gowan go long. You have become a NUSIANCE to Society.
  • BREAKING NEWS (10/11/2021, 10:55) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT SIR COX THE VIP'S BIG TIME LAWYER
  • big show (10/11/2021, 12:13) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
    Justice is not too expensive in the BVI it's the crimes you guys committing to serious
  • Ne Timeas (10/11/2021, 12:37) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not too long ago, the BVI only had a few attorneys. True, the population was much smaller, there was no crimes, simpler disputes and people were more civil and humble. Now there seems to be a glut of attorneys who want extract their pound flesh. Agree with CSC that justice is expensive in the the BVI; hell, everything is expensive in the BVI, ie, food, clothing, transportation, housing, entertainment and leisure, healthcare and so on. In addition to justice being expensive is that it is delayed. It takes a damn long time and by the time that a verdict is rendered both parties have been punished. The verdict is another punishment. Justice delayed is justice denied. So what can residents do. First, residents can lawyers and the courts of the opportunity of dealing with cases. Secondly, residents can use Alternative Dispute Resolution ( ADR) to resolve some issues, ie, arbitration, mediation....etc. It is less expensive and faster than the slow as molasses court system.
  • lmao (10/11/2021, 13:54) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    You know why justice isn’t delayed? by the time the wheels get moving, you are damn near dead. Same as Social Security, buy the time you get it you are damn near dead.
  • WOW (10/11/2021, 15:48) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    You guys are really determined to continue with your attack on our court system, now with your subtleties.
  • ???? (10/11/2021, 17:31) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    what about the speaker 2 bills?
  • reality (10/11/2021, 17:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    One of the big problems is the high court judge . People these days are busy , including the judge. Routinely the judge sets 6or 8 cases for hearing in a day or at least for management . All lawyers and claimants and defendants have to check in on Zoom at 9 am. Lawyers are fine as they get paid by the hour to sit and wait their turn . Claimants and defendants cannot go to their work as they have to sit and wait for hours and pay their lawyers. A simple improvement would be if the Judge could schedule things and allow a time for each case . Common sense is that all cases are not going to be at 9am . All it takes is a little thought and schedule the cases with a staggered time . The judge should be able to estimate how long each hearing will take and then schedule the first at 9 and the next at 9.15 or 9.30 and so on . This could save a lot of time and legal fees and take a lot of the stress out of court dealings . If you are case number 6 on that days list then schedule them for 10.30 instead of making everyone sit and wait watching a blank Zoom screen saying “the judge will let you in shortly”.
  • how? (10/11/2021, 18:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    CC how you and yours sleep at nights? Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord!
  • WOW (10/11/2021, 20:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look at who is talking when them rake in over a 1/4 off a million, nothing to show for it. At lease when the lawyer done there a document to go too, where a yours
  • Yoo (11/11/2021, 09:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stop being distracted as the man is raising a valid point!

    Most people can not afford ANY legal actions and that is plain wrong.

    Who’s making up these laws oh right it’s the lawyers. It’s rigged to our common detriment. For all the time spent in school we should be learning law as citizens.

    Don’t tell me we’re too stupid either.

    it’s simply rigged to pay off those law degrees pay the clan fees and give them the dream everyone told them about. What makes their degree better than any other.

    The vet is not charging $5000 to save your animal while they probably should if it’s a lawyers pet. Or would that be an unreasonable amount to pay??

    Even the doctors need to do better. We learn nearly zero healthcare or law in school. It’s rigged.
  • Valid (14/11/2021, 20:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It a very valid point he is making. I know of an instance when an employer rob an employee of their servance pay of about $5000 and tell them to," take me to the court". Now just to have a lawyer write a letter to this employer will be $3000. This is just for starters and you have not reach court as yet.


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