Seasoned judge, attorney and legal instructor His Lordship the Honourable Justice Richard Floyd has joined the Virgin Islands’ bench as Head of the Criminal Division.

Justice Floyd began adjudicating matters in the Territory this week after his appointed to the Virgin Islands by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission in December.

Originally from Canada, Justice Floyd has Caribbean roots, and oversaw the development of Antigua’s first dedicated Criminal Court while serving there as Criminal Division Judge.

Justice Floyd previously worked as Crown Counsel in Canada, a Prosecutor in Australia, and taught at Queen's University Law School in Canada. In 2016, he was recognised as an International Fellow with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, DC.

Governor John Rankin, CMG said he welcomed the arrival of an internationally experienced justice to the Territory.

“I know that like other courts in the region, the Virgin Islands courts are tasked with a heavy load and other challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. I trust that Justice Floyd’s wealth of experience would help guide the Territory forward through this period,” Governor Rankin said.

Justice Floyd was educated at the University of Ottawa, York University and attended Harvard University in the United States. He has been active in his local communities, having served on the Board of Directors for Hospice in both Canada and Antigua; as a board member for addictions and community mental health organisations; and as a long-time member of the Ontario Soccer Association.   

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Note to Editors: Image included - His Lordship the Honourable Justice Richard Floyd