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.