STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER,

HONOURABLE DR. NATALIO D. WHEATLEY

ON THE APPOINTMENT OF Dame Janice Mecedis Pereira, DBE

TO HIS MAJESTY’S MOST HONOURABLE PRIVY COUNCIL

It gives me great pleasure to join the people of the Virgin Islands in congratulating Dame Janice Mecedis Pereira, DBE on her appointment to His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council as announced on 28th August, 2024. This prestigious accolade is a fitting testament to her distinguished career and unwavering commitment to justice across the region.

As a member of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, Dame Janice Pereira will be involved in several important functions, primarily related to judicial responsibilities. Her key role will include serving as a member of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC), which is one of the highest courts of appeal for several independent Commonwealth countries, British Overseas Territories, Crown Dependencies, and military sovereign base areas.

Since its formation as the executive arm of English government in the13th century, the Privy Council remains an advisory body to the monarch and its members (known as Privy Counsellors), are appointed for life by the King on the advice of the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister.

These individuals who hold or have held senior political, judicial or ecclesiastical office in the UK or in Commonwealth Realms are required to take a special oath before administering their duties to advise the King on giving formal effect to Proclamations and Orders in Council and legal instruments which are made under prerogative or statutory powers.

Understanding that appointments can come from anywhere within the realm, the fact that a daughter of our soil, a proud and radiant Virgin Islander was chosen, makes this more special; certainly, to her, but also for us as a Territory.

Though special, and a day that will be noted in the annals of our history forever, it is not surprising. Dame Pereira’s life has yielded many red-letter days. In 1975, she graduated as Valedictorian of the British Virgin Islands High School when she was 17. Deemed too young at the time to receive a scholarship to study abroad, an intervention by her district representative, the late Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE resulted in her receiving the scholarship and subsequently receiving her Bachelor of Laws degree with honours in 1976.

In 1981, Dame Janice was called to the Bar of the Territory of the Virgin Islands, becoming one of the first two women to be admitted to the Bar on the same day.

She has served the Territory well while serving as the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Registrar of Companies and the Admiralty Marshall, Supervisor of Elections, Magistrate,and additional Magistrate. Her service is poignantly noted as she was the Registrar of Companies when the International Business Companies Act was passed in 1984. In 1989 she was seconded by Government to help the Registry of Companies cope with the increase of companies wishing to be incorporated in the Virgin Islands.

In private practice, Dame Pereira continued to make the territory proud, winning cases and being a clear voice on the status of children and the bastardy laws of the Virgin Islands. She was unwavering in her position and shared her candid views on the issue wherever she was welcomed to speak. In 2014, the Legislative Council of the Virgin Islands enacted the Status of Children Act, which made all children equal in the eyes of the law.

Her journey from being appointed as a Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in 2003 to her elevation to the Court of Appeal in 2008 and then her appointment as Chief Justice in 2012 are testaments to the talent she displayed throughout her practice and the confidence and respect with which she is regarded throughout the Caribbean. She was the first female and longest serving Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, a milestone that underscores her pioneering leadership.

Her contributions to the judiciary were further recognised in May 2013 when she was awarded the Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Dame Pereira’s retirement in 2024, is clearly no indication of her desire to slow down, as His Majesty the King has found her worthy of this elevation. His appointment only solidifies something that we all know, and have always known, that Virgin Islanders possess the capacity to lead, change and to serve in the highest offices worldwide to the benefit of the world and to our own Territory.

In short order, my Government will join the Territory in marking the numerous accomplishments by Dame Pereira with a series of events. While we were planning to celebrate her in retirement, we now have cause to celebrate this additional appointment.

On behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands and especially the people of Virgin Gorda, I am filled with pride to congratulate Dame Janice Mecedis Pereira, DBE on this achievement.

Her remarkable career serves as an inspiration to all, and the Virgin Islands stands in deep admiration of her contributions and continued excellence. Dame Pereira’s accomplishments are the pride of all our hearts and I echo the sentiments of Chief Justice, the late Sir Lascelles Robotham, when he said, “Yes, let us hear from a lady”. Indeed, we have heard from her, as her life’s work continues to speak for her.