The Hon Dame Janice M. Pereira DBE has accepted an invitation to sit with the JCPC in London for a week in December, to hear scheduled appeals. Photo: ECSC

Chairman of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) Lord Reed has said Dame Janice M. Pereira, DBE will bring to a wealth of experience and expertise to the Privy Council. Photo: jcpc.uk

The JCPC made the announcement on September 12, 2024, stating that it is pleased to announce that the Hon Dame Janice M. Pereira DBE has accepted an invitation from the JCPC's chairman Lord Reed to sit with the JCPC in London for a week in December, to hear scheduled appeals.

Appointed by The King!

This, according to the JCPC, has been made possible by the gracious decision of His Majesty The King to appoint Dame Janice to the Privy Council.

Dame Janice, who is from Virgin Gorda in the Virgin Islands, is a distinguished judge who has recently retired from the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, where she was the first female Chief Justice. In May 2013 she was awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

‘I am deeply humbled’- Dame Janice M. Pereira, DBE

Reacting to the news of her appointment, Dame Janice said: "As a Caribbean jurist, I am deeply humbled to be afforded the privilege to serve on the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, the highest judicial body of many of our Caribbean States and Territories. I look forward with great anticipation to serving the people in this new and important role"

Lord Reed said: "I am delighted that Dame Janice Pereira is joining us to sit on the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. As the recently retired Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and President of the Court of Appeal, she will bring to our work a wealth of experience and expertise. Having a judge with direct experience of life in the Caribbean will strengthen our ability to serve the countries there from which we hear appeals."

History created!

According to someone familiar with such appointments, it is the first time that anybody from the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) has been asked to sit in such a capacity.

“A much bigger deal than just being appointed as a member of the Privy Council. Only a few of the members of the larger Privy Council are asked to sit as Judges,” the individual, who requested to remain anonymous, stated.

Dame Janice will sit with the JCPC from December 9-13, 2024. The appeals which she will hear (with other Justices) will be shortly published on the JCPC website. Members of the public are welcome to watch proceedings in court or livestreamed on the JCPC website.