All eyes and ears will be glued on the House of Assembly today as a motion regarding the legal fees incurred by Speaker Honourable Julian Willock in a challenge against the attorneys for the Commission of Inquiry comes up for debate.
The fees were imposed by High Court Judge Justice Adrian Jack after Willock withdrew a motion for an injunction against three UK attorneys – Bilal Rawat, Rhea Harrikissoon and Andrew King – who were performing legal services for the COI while being present in the Virgin Islands although they had not been admitted to the local bar, in breach of the BVI Legal Profession Act 2015.
Public opinion is divided on whether the costs should be borne by the State or by Willock in his personal capacity.
Some vocal citizens have argued that Willock filed the injunction in the interest of the Virgin Islands people since the flouting of the BVI law by the COI’s lawyers reflected an affront to the laws of the Territory and an assault on the Constitution.
They say the issue is not about personalities but about the sanctity of the Territory’s institutions, and should not be tangled up with personal agendas.
Other residents are outraged by the recent motion that was passed by the Premier to exempt the Speaker from paying legal fees.
A protest organized by some constituents is scheduled to kick off at 9am to exemplify disapprobation of the motion and other controversial issues.
The continuation of the 12th sitting of the 3rd Session of the 4th House of Assembly is set to resume at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola from 10am.