Hakim Creque makes history as VG’s first full-time magistrate
“Your Honour.” That’s the new title Hakim Creque will go by, following his historic appointment as the first full-time magistrate of Virgin Gorda — the island of his birth.
Creque was appointed by Governor Daniel Pruce with effect from March 5. His appointment comes at a crucial time, when the territory is seeing an uptick in crimes, many of which are prosecuted in the Magistrate’s Court.
As the territory’s newest magistrate, Creque will serve full-time on VG and will attend to certain matters on Tortola. He will hear and pass rulings in all civil, criminal and quasi-criminal matters filed in the Magistrate’s Court and oversee the operations of the court efficiently and competently to ensure a professional and fair judicial service is provided within the court and to the public.
Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Sharleen DaBreo-Lettsome, highlighted the importance of having a magistrate fully appointed to Virgin Gorda.
“As we work to fulfil the vision for an advanced court system in the territory, a key component is ensuring that we are adequately staffed to meet the growing needs of those we serve. Mr Creque’s appointment to sit as magistrate on Virgin Gorda is a representation of our commitment to this advancement, and his expertise is sure to be an added benefit to the magistracy,” DaBreo said.
Creque is a seasoned barrister, having completed his Bar Professional Training Course in 2014 from the University of Law and subsequently admitted as a Barrister to the Bar of England and Wales in July 2014 by the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn. Creque was then admitted to practice law in the Virgin Islands in December 2014.
As for his other credentials, Creque earned an Associate of Arts in Human Services from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (International Relations), both from the University of Central Florida in 2006.
He has also completed a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Law in London and a Master of Law in Corporate and Commercial Law from Queen Mary University in 2019.
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Too many close family in VG….Wont get justice…Conflict of interest
He will just be a magistrate with the most conflicts and cannot sit. However, a lot f the cases do not involve Virgin Gordians, so he will be just fine (LOL.)
Is the BVI a real place?kudos to his appointment but it’s a known fact before that he will be conflicted in many matters…why is here so reactive rather than proactive.
He is smart enough to know when to recuse himself. He will be fine and will do a great job. Sit back and watch him work.
Congratulations to Hakeem. However, this is a disaster waiting to happen. The BVI is a very small place. How can you appoint someone to preside as judge in a community where he grows up and likely knows everyone and their family. This is one of the drawbacks of a small community. Everyone knows or know about each other.
Who would you prefer? A Down – Islander or a UK Citizen? He Bawn yah!!
you sound like a real idiot. I am a bvislander and I would want someone who is able to hear the cases without bias and prejudices, be it down islander as you say, UK Citizen or even another BVIslander who doesnt have close ties to the VG community. I am happy for him as I know him personally, but professionally I am not sure how this will work. In any case I will watch on. As another blogger said we are too reactive as a people and make some really stupid decisions sometimes. In any case I do wish him well and trust that he will try his best under the circumstances.
Great News….To Hakim, Just try your very best to be as fair as possible. It will be difficult to not be bias. We are often bias without even knowing it. Our past experiences in life is one factor that can make us bias. However, with effort you can be an excellent magistrate.
Yall having issues with him as a judge is like all having issues with a local as a lawyer or a cop! Make it make sense. You have other small island territories with appointed locals in such positions, why not us? Yall too small minded man. He’s more than qualified and I know he will recuse himself should a conflict of interest arise.
Kudos Hakeem! This is awesomeness at it’s Finest! This is a big deal BVI!