National celebrations in honour of Dame Janice Pereira

The Virgin Islands government has announced a week-long celebration from October 21 to October 27 in honour of The Right Honourable Dame Janice Pereira and her retirement.

To pay tribute to her distinguished career, the government has organised a series of activities, starting with a primetime special featuring the former Chief Justice in conversation with Temuji Hughes. From Tuesday, October 22, to Friday, October 25, general knowledge quizzes will also be held during morning devotions on ZBVI Radio, along with various other activities throughout the week to commemorate her years of service.

The national celebration will culminate on Sunday, October 27, with a celebratory church service at the Church of God (Holiness) in North Sound, Virgin Gorda.

Dame Janice, a native of Virgin Gorda, was appointed as a judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) in 2003 and was promoted to the Court of Appeal in 2008. Her career reached new heights when she was sworn in as the first female Chief Justice of the ECSC on October 24, 2012.

On August 29 of this year, it was announced that Dame Pereira was appointed to His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council. This esteemed body, one of the oldest judicial institutions in the United Kingdom, serves as the final court of appeal for many Commonwealth countries, including those in the Eastern Caribbean. Membership in the Privy Council is a prestigious honour reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service in public life. As a member, Dame Janice will provide legal advice to the Sovereign and contribute to important decisions across the Commonwealth.

Dame Janice’s career is marked by numerous accolades. She was named Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of her services to the judiciary. Additionally, she has received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of the West Indies, underscoring her significant impact on the legal profession in the Caribbean.