The Supreme Court of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) is part of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and is the superior court of record. It holds unlimited jurisdiction within the territory. Although commonly referred to as the High Court, the correct name is the Supreme Court.
High Court
The High Court handles civil and criminal cases.
- Current Judge: Vicki Ann Ellis (since 2012)
Commercial Court
The Commercial Court, established in May 2009, handles commercial disputes.
- Minimum Claim Value: US$500,000 (most cases exceed this value).
- Current Judge: Edward Bannister, QC (since 2009)
- The Commercial Court predominantly hears cases from the BVI, though it may handle cases from any of the nine member jurisdictions of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.
Civil Procedure and Rules
Civil procedure in the Supreme Court and its appellate courts is regulated by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Rules (CPR). These rules do not apply to family proceedings, insolvency, non-contentious probate, or when the court acts as a prize court.
Judicial Structure
The judiciary of the BVI follows the system of the United Kingdom. As a member state of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, the BVI courts are organized at four levels, with final appeals heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.
Key Points:
- High Court: Presided over by Vicki Ann Ellis, handles civil and criminal cases.
- Commercial Court: Presided over by Edward Bannister, QC, handles commercial disputes, with a minimum claim value of US$500,000.
- The Supreme Court is the highest authority in the BVI, with provisions for appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
