Local News
Virgin Islands to Host Week-Long Celebration Honouring Dame Janice Pereira’s Retirement and Privy Council Appointment
The Government of the Virgin Islands has announced a week-long national celebration in honour of The Right Honourable Dame Janice M. Pereira, marking her retirement as Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and her recent appointment to His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council.
The celebration, themed “Celebrating Our Radiant Daughter: A Journey from the Virgin Islands to the Privy Council,” will run from 21 to 27 October, featuring 14 public and private events that recognise Dame Janice’s extraordinary legal career and her contributions to the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean region.
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, highlighted the significance of Dame Janice’s achievements. “The Right Honourable Dame Janice Pereira has had a remarkable career of service to the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean, which is evident through her recent appointment to His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council,” Premier Wheatley stated. “She has set an incredible example for all Virgin Islanders, showing us that with hard work, the sky is not the limit—our only limit is ourselves.”
Dame Janice Pereira’s career began in 1981 when she became one of the first women called to the bar in the Virgin Islands. Her impressive trajectory included appointments as a High Court Judge, a seat on the Court of Appeal, and finally, her historic appointment as Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in 2012. After 12 years of transformative leadership, she retired from the bench in May 2024.
The celebration in her honour will kick off with a Primetime Special, chronicling Dame Janice’s life and achievements, followed by a week filled with activities such as general knowledge quizzes on ZBVI Radio, school visits, courtesy calls, and a youth-focused brunch. Notably, the public is invited to attend a Special Lecture by Dame Janice Pereira at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, a Special Sitting of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court at the Multipurpose Sports Complex, and a Celebratory Church Service at the Church of God (Holiness) in North Sound, Virgin Gorda.
The Government of the Virgin Islands extends an open invitation to all residents to participate in the festivities as they celebrate the historic accomplishments of one of the Territory’s most distinguished daughters, Dame Janice M. Pereira.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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