More attorneys needed in criminal law
Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Janice Pereira has stated that there is a need for more lawyers in the area of criminal law — an area which sees a number of marginalized people in dire need of legal representation.
In an interview with the government’s Acting Director of Communications Karia Christopher, Chief Justice Pereira was asked what accounts for the shortage of lawyers in the territory.
In response, the high court judge said there are many local lawyers in the BVI system, but many chose to practice commercial law.
“What you really want to see are more lawyers who are engaged not just in commercial work but engaged in all other areas and in criminal law as well,” Chief Justice Pereira said. “We have found – not just in the BVI but across the Eastern Caribbean – not sufficient lawyers who want to engage in criminal practice. And yet there is such a need for that practice across the [OECS] states.”
She said many lawyers are of the view that criminal law doesn’t pay well but she said there is much value to be gained if criminal law is approached correctly.
“Of course, yes, we know they say that a lot of the crimes are committed by persons who may be poorer or marginalized in society but there is a need to also assist those persons and I see nothing wrong with anyone seeking to assist persons who may be in need of legal representation,” Chief Justice Pereira explained.
Because of the popularity of the financial services industries in BVI and other OECS states, lawyers from the region are usually drawn to commercial law, which is often more lucrative than other areas.
Many other attorneys also opt to leave the region for major legal centres in the United States and the UK, where they are usually able to demand higher salaries for their skill set.
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You mean we need good and honest ones. We have a lot too many, but most are very bad and dishonest…Do your investigation before you talk..
This is the Chief Justice, I am sure she knows of what she speaks, unlike you. You probably couldn’t even say how many local lawyers are involved in criminal law, yet you are telling people to investigate before they talk.
I say we need a magistrate court and more magistrates.
And a better DPP. This DPP is a joke… Watch the cases they are trying to prosecute…
What needs to happen is a price cap on certain categories of matters. Imagine one having to pay an attorney 13 K for labour tribunal matter. This place needs justice for all people. Everyone and sundry trying to milk the poor and marginalized but they will give an account to the Chief-Chief justice one of these days.
In the eastern Caribbean justice system the lawyers are the white collar criminals. The criminals are blue collar with no access to blue collar lawyers because those lawyers no longer exist in 2024. Money talks while indictable and summary crimes continue. Every island in this justice system is affected but nothing will be done due to high xenophobia levels on each island.
Your are studying title’s still? After slavery…
After the Treaty of Tordesillas…
Evil makes decrees & holds high title all the time.
Havent you seen what happened to the last Premier… I dont know this lady but I am tired of people getting titles and think that they are comfortable & should not be replaced when they don’t fulfill their side of the equation.
If you really read what she said… from my perspective she is saying all these people run to become lawyer with gown and big title yet they only want the lucrative, and cushy commercial role.
So at that I compliment her because she is not studying their title but judging them by their action.
is there some type of terrorist group working against the bvi? is the bvi being terrorize by some form of terrorism? are terrorists working and living in the bvi to commit terrorism towards bvi islanders?
She should make every local white owned law firm that are earning millions hidden in foreign secret bank accounts not to contribute to the local economy to represent at least ten percent of the marginalized locals pro bono. These firms like H* have been using the Carribbean courts to commit white collar international crimes in our name.
Nobody came rushing forward to represent and protect me when I was being slandered as some sort of devil incarnate, so I can speak to the lack of criminal lawyers in the BVI.
The law firms in the BVI commit highway robbery. Want to have me paying $12,000+ just to petition to get MY FATHER’S trust. Disgusting. I understand there is due process for everything but such process should not be made impossible.