PRESIDING JUDGE

Closing Date: October 30, 2023

Type of Vacancy: Community Vacancies / Expired Notices

Details of the Post

Commercial Division of the High Court, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court

APPOINTING AUTHORITY:

Judicial and Legal Services Commission of the Supreme Court established under the Courts Order 1967 (Imperial Legislation Statutory Instrument No 223 of 1967) and chaired by the Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (“the ECSC”).

THE COMMERCIAL DIVISION:

The Commercial Division of the ECSC is a superior court of record which hears and determines Commercial Cases as defined in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Civil Procedure Rules 2000 and the Civil Procedure Rules (Revised Edition) 2023.  The bulk of the work of the Commercial Division consists of high value cross-border litigation with a base in financial services, international commerce and company and insolvency law. Appeals from decisions of the Commercial Division are heard by the Court of Appeal of the ECSC, from which appeals lie to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. To hear and determine all claims commenced in the Commercial Division of the High Court, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (‘the Commercial Court‘) including all interim and other applications made in the course of such proceedings. While the bulk of such claims will be commenced and heard in the Commercial Division sitting in Tortola, Territory of the Virgin Islands (‘British Virgin Islands’), the Commercial Court Judge may, at the direction of the Chief Justice, hear claims originating from the six Member States and two other UK Overseas Territories which comprise the territorial jurisdiction of the ECSC, whether in Tortola or in the particular Member State or Overseas Territory in question.

• To constitute and convene a Commercial Court Users Committee comprising representatives of local law firms which regularly make use of the facilities of the Commercial Court (‘the Committee’).

• To keep under review, in conjunction with the Committee, the functioning of the Commercial Court Registry and to make such recommendations as may seem expedient for ensuring the efficient management of cases proceeding in the Commercial Court.

• To keep under review, in conjunction with the Committee, the practice and procedure of the Commercial Court and to make such recommendations for its development as may seem expedient.

• Before expiration of term, to provide such advice and assistance to a successor Judge as may be necessary to enable a seamless handover.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

The suitable candidate should possess:

At least the (10) years’ experience as a Judge in a Court within the Commonwealth which has Civil jurisdiction in cross-border or International Commercial cases;

OR

At least five (5) years’ experience as a Judge in a specialised court dealing with cross-border or International Commercial cases;

OR

At least ten (10) years’ practise as a leading Attorney-at-Law specializing in litigation involving cross-border or International Commercial cases.

Prior experience as a judge within the Commonwealth in a specialised court dealing with cross-border or International Commercial cases is considered an asset.

TERM:

Three (3) years or any agreed extension of same.

RESIDENCE:

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

• Gross Salary: US$200,000.00 per annum, free of tax, payable monthly in arrears (comprising base salary and other allowances);

• Gratuity of 20% of contractual salary payable upon successful completion of contract (free of tax);

• Six calendar weeks’ or 42 calendar days’ vacation per annum;

• Life and Medical insurance coverage;

• Fully furnished rent-free accommodation and all associated utilities;

• Entitlement to Duty Free allowances in accordance with the laws of the British Virgin Islands;

• Driver and fully maintained vehicle;

• Passage for appointee, spouse and underage children from country of residence to the British Virgin Islands at commencement of contract and return  to country of former residence at end of contract.

APPLICATIONS:

Applications Forms can be accessed on the Court’s website at: www.eccourts.org.  Applications must be accompanied by a complete curriculum vitae and full details of all relevant experience.  Applications must be submitted electronically via email by Monday, 30^th October 2023 to:

The Secretary

Judicial and Legal Services Commission

P.O. Box 1093

Castries

Saint Lucia, West Indies

Email:  jlsc@eccourts.org

Tel: 1 758 457 3600