Attorney General, Honourable Dawn Smith attended her first meeting as Deputy Chairperson of the Virgin Islands General Legal Council last month.

The current membership consists of Ms. Anthea Smith, Chairperson; Honourable Dawn Smith, Deputy Chairperson; ex-officio, Mrs. Kimberly Crabbe-Adams; President of the Bar Association, ex-officio, Mr. Richard May; Mr. Meade Malone, Mrs. Michelle Frett Mathavious and Mrs. Jude Hodge.

“The Commission is committed to fulfilling its mandate under the Legal Profession Act and is moving forward to address matters including the suspended provisions of the Act,” Chairperson, Ms. Anthea Smith said. She also indicated that the council will take steps shortly to bring greater awareness of the provisions of the Act to the general public and members of the legal profession. 

The powers and functions of the council include:

• to regulate and supervise, generally, the legal profession, and to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Legal Profession Act;
• to evaluate, review and set the standards of conduct and proficiency of the legal profession in the Virgin Islands;
• to protect the interest of the public with respect to the practice of law in the Virgin Islands;
• to promote, maintain and support the administration of justice and the observance of the rule of law.

The Legal Professions Act was passed in the House of Assembly on March 25, 2015 and came into force on November 11 of that year. The Chair and other members are appointed to serve for three year terms.

The full complement of members to comprise the current Virgin Islands General Legal Council, pursuant to the Legal Profession Act, 2015, was finalised in December 2019. The council held its first meeting on January 16, 2020.

The powers and functions of the Council are to regulate and supervise the legal profession; and to evaluate, review and set the standards of conduct and proficiency of the legal profession.

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Note to editors: Photo included - Attorney General the Hounourable Dawn Smith