On 13 June, 2016, the Honourable Sir Bernard Eder, Q.C. will succeed Justice Samuel Sher, Q.C. as High Court Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court’s Commercial Division located in the British Virgin Islands.

Justice Eder comes to the post with nearly 40 years of knowledge and experience as a barrister, judge and arbitrator and will sit as High Court Judge from 13 June to 10 July.

His judicial experience includes serving as a High Court Judge between 2011 and 2015. He also currently serves as an International Judge of the Singapore International Commercial Court.

Justice Eder will succeed Justice Sher who served as Commercial Court Judge from 2 May to 10 June, 2016. He will sit alongside Justice Gerhard Wallbank, Q.C. and is the third in a series of rotating Judges to preside over the internationally recognised BVI Commercial Court.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith OBE welcomes the development at the BVI Commercial Court and reaffirmed its importance to the Territory. He said, “The BVI Commercial Court is a very busy court with a significant caseload and a stellar international reputation. I am pleased with its most recent appointment as I know the new Judge will contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of the Court.”

He added, “Our Territory’s financial services industry relies on a robust and internationally respected judicial system and my Government is committed to providing the necessary support to ensure the Court can keep pace with its growing and increasingly complex caseload.”

The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court’s Commercial Division of the British Virgin Islands’ (BVI Commercial Court) was established in May 2009. The Commercial Court may hear cases from any of the nine member jurisdictions of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and specialises in cross-border and high value commercial, company, trusts and insolvency law matters.

The Court has dealt with numerous cases since its inception and continues to play a critical role in the BVI’s financial services sector.