Mr. Hakim T. Creque has been appointed Magistrate by His Excellency, the Governor Daniel Pruce with effect from March 5, in accordance with Section 95 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007.

As the Territory’s newest Magistrate, Mr. Creque, who is a native of Virgin Gorda, will sit as a full-time Magistrate on the island, as well as attend to certain matters on Tortola. This is the first appointment of a Magistrate to the sister island.

Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Sharleen DaBreo-Lettsome, MBE highlighted the importance of having a Magistrate fully appointed to Virgin Gorda.

Mrs. DaBreo-Lettsome, MBE said, “As we work to fulfil the vision for an advanced court system in the Territory, a key component is ensuring that we are adequately staffed to meet the growing needs of those we serve. Mr. Creque’s appointment to sit as Magistrate on Virgin Gorda is a representation of our commitment to this advancement, and his expertise is sure to be an added benefit to the Magistracy.”

The new Magistrate is a seasoned barrister, having completed his Bar Professional Training Course in 2014 from the University of Law and subsequently admitted as a Barrister to the Bar of England and Wales in July 2014 by the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn.                  Mr. Creque was then admitted to practice law in the Virgin Islands in December 2014. 

The Magistrate will hear and pass rulings in all civil, criminal and quasi-criminal matters filed in the Magistrate’s Court and oversee the operations of the Court in an efficient and competent manner to ensure a professional and fair judicial service is provided within the Court and to the public.

Mr. Creque earned an Associate of Arts in Human Services from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (International Relations), both from the University of Central Florida in 2006. He has also completed a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Law in London and a Master of Law in Corporate and Commercial Law from Queen Mary University in 2019.

The Magistrate's Court is the court of lowest jurisdiction in the British Virgin Islands. The Court mainly hears criminal matters with summary jurisdiction, minor civil claims, and certain family law matters. The Magistrate also has limited jurisdiction in relation to salvage and wreck.

The Government of the Virgin Islands remains committed to the fair and equitable administration of justice in the Territory.