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Speaker & Deputy Speaker taking CoI to court over status of its lawyers
Hon Willock made the announcement in a press conference today, August 18, 2021, alongside Silk Legal’s Richard G. Rowe and Daniel R. F. Davies.
Status of CoI Lawyers questioned
“On the tenth hearing day of the Commission of Inquiry, Mr Richard G. Rowe of Silk Legal inquired of the one-man Commissioner as to whether the lawyers, Bilal Rawat, Andrew King and Rhea Harrikissoon, who are assisting the Commission, were admitted to practice law in the Virgin Islands in keeping with Section 18 of the Legal Profession Act 2015 of the territory,” Hon Willock indicated as the justification for the move.
He said the ‘one-man Commissioner’ Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom then responded in the negative and further stated that they did not need to be admitted to practice law in the Virgin Islands in order to carry out their duties.
“Mr Hickinbottom, nevertheless, directed that the mentioned persons make an application to be admitted to practice law in the territory,” Hon Willock detailed.
He said the three Commission of Inquiry lawyers then filed applications to be admitted to the BVI Bar; however, ahead of the move, he said the law firm representing the House of Assembly, Silk Legal, was directed to file an objection on behalf of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.
Hon Willock indicated that the injunction was on the basis that the applicants have been practicing law in the Virgin Islands since March 2021, in breach of the Legal Profession Act.
Speaker & Deputy has 'standing' to take matter to court
“Their side raised the issue as to whether the Honourable Deputy Speaker and I had standing to make an objection; however, the Court ruled last month that we did have standing and set a trial date for the case in October of this year. We had also raised other concerns, which I am not at liberty to disclose at this point, as the matter is live before the court,” the Speaker said.
Mr Willcok indicated that Silk Legal has been further instructed to file an injunction to prevent the three Commission of Inquiry lawyers; Bilal Rawat, Andrew King and Rhea Harrikissoon, from doing any more work associated with the Commission of Inquiry until the Judge rules after the October trial.
“Furthermore, and bearing in mind that the practice of law is not confined to the courtroom, we have decided to seek a determination from the Court as to whether in BVI law, it is lawful for lawyers who have not been admitted to practice law in the Virgin Islands, to be appointed to act as barristers and/or solicitors in Commissions of Inquiries, generally; and if it is lawful for lawyers who have not been admitted to practice law in the BVI to carry out legal duties in relation to Commissions of Inquiries, generally,” Hon Willock further indicated.
Law must be equal to all
He said once the Court decides that points 1 and 2 are not lawful, there will be consequential orders, which he was not at liberty to discuss at present.
Hon Willock affirmed that his only interest is the rule of law and that the laws of the Territory, and that no one is above the law.
He said what must be good for the Speaker, the teacher, the waste management collector, the journalist, and countless of "my brothers and sisters incarcerated at Her Majesty’s Prison" must be good for all others.
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17 Responses to “Speaker & Deputy Speaker taking CoI to court over status of its lawyers”
I agreed we in this together these DAM ***** men think we black uneducated and dumb, we fighting together
ARROGANCE they were getting away with / the ( COI ) will expose you all and using ( RACISM ) is not going to work
The British and other European nations went around the world as explorers and developers from India to Africa and the Caribbean and exploited their economic resources and their peoples. Thus leaving them with little or no education and means to develop themselves. It is our time now and we are worth every fiber of of our bodies. Even if the legal fees would cost a million dollars, our dignities worth more than that. It is time that the House Slaves mentality be eradicated from amongst us.