Acting Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Honourable Sir Brian Alleyne, centre, led a consultative meeting about the future of the regional court on February 1, 2008, at the Government's Training Division. Seated with the Chief Justice are BVI Attorney General Katheen Quartey, right, and Deputy Court Administrator for the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Mr. Francis Letang, left. (Photo by GIS/Aldrin Rabsatt)

The proposed plan calls for an administrative merger of the High Court and the Magistrate’s Court to create a streamlined trial court comprising four specialised divisions: criminal, civil, family, and commercial. Under the plan, the entire judicial system—from the Magistracy to the Court of Appeal—would be under the single umbrella of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.

The plan also calls for other significant reforms to improve the performance and accessibility of the courts, and to assure their independence and accountability.

The consultative meeting, held at the Government’s Training Division on February 1, was led by the Acting Chief Justice, Honourable Sir Brian Alleyne. The Chief Justice gave presentations on Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Reform and the Criminal Court Delay Reduction Rules while Francis Letang, Deputy Court Administrator for the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, gave a presentation on the proposed trial court structure. Attorney General Kathleen Quartey welcomed participants.

Participants in the meeting included Deputy Governor Elton Georges; Justices Indra Charles and Rita Joseph Olivetti; the Director of Public Prosecutions Terrence Williams; Senior Magistrate Valerie Stephens; Solicitor-General Joanne Williams-Roberts; Registrar Paula Ajarie; Senior Court Administrator Michelle McLean; other senior public servants, and representatives from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, the Department of Human Resources and the BVI Bar Association.

Participants were given the opportunity to comment on the proposals. In addition, a local advisory committee was established. The committee, which is chaired by Director of Public Prosecutions Williams, will help with the implementation of the new court structure.

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