The Government of the Virgin Islands has announced a weeklong national celebration honouring The Right Honourable Dame Janice M. Pereira from October 21 to 27, 2024.
The celebration recognizes her retirement as Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) and her recent appointment to His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council.
Dame Pereira, originally from Virgin Gorda, served as the first female Chief Justice of the ECSC, a role she held from 2012 until her retirement earlier this year. Her appointment to the Privy Council, confirmed by King Charles III, highlights her significant contributions to the judiciary and her role as a legal pioneer.
During her tenure, she spearheaded the integration of digital platforms, which enabled the courts to maintain their efficiency during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Her leadership in adapting the court system to new technologies has been widely lauded as a transformative move for the region’s justice sector.
The Privy Council, a historic judicial body of the United Kingdom, acts as the highest court of appeal for many Commonwealth nations, including those in the Eastern Caribbean. Pereira’s new role will involve providing legal guidance to the Sovereign and contributing to decisions affecting the wider Commonwealth.
The planned celebration will feature events across the territory including school visits and a special sitting of the ECSC at the Multipurpose Sports Complex.