2011 Annual Report - Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands

Designated JusticesIn cases where one or more justices is recused from hearinga particular case or is otherwise temporarily unable to serve,the Chief Justice is authorized to appoint any retired, senior,or active judge of the Superior Court or the District Court toserve as a Designated Justice. While serving in that capacity,a Designated Justice generally possesses all the rights andresponsibilities of an Associate Justice. However, in the rareevent that all the justices of the Supreme Court are recusedfrom a case, the most senior Designated Justice on the panelmay exercise all the powers of the Chief Justice with respectto that particular case.The following judicial officers served as Designated Justicesduring Fiscal Year 2011:• Hon. Julio A. Brady, Judge,Superior Court of the Virgin Islands• Hon. Adam G. Christian, Judge,Superior Court of the Virgin Islands• Hon. Michael C. Dunston, Judge,Superior Court of the Virgin Islands• Hon. Curtis V. Gomez, Chief Judge,District Court of the Virgin IslandsAdditionally, the Court recognizes Hon. Edgar D. Ross,Senior Sitting Judge, Superior Court of the Virgin Islands,who assisted the Supreme Court through his service as aSpecial Master during the fiscal year.Internal OperationsWhile each justice participates in court administrationmatters, including managing his or her own chambers,the Chief Justice serves as the administrative head of theSupreme Court pursuant to statute. In fulfilling thesecritical non-judicial functions, the Chief Justice receivesassistance from the Administrative Director and the Clerkof the Supreme Court, who, subject to the supervisionof the Chief Justice, oversee distinct areas of the Court’sinternal operations. The Clerk of the Court is responsiblefor case management, creating and maintaining the docket,preserving court records, attesting court documents—including certificates of good standing issued to attorneys—and performing numerous other ministerial dutiesspecified by statute, court rule or internal procedure. TheAdministrative Director oversees all other non-judicialfunctions, including, but not limited to, budget, fiscal, andhuman resource management, court security, procurement,information technology, and facilities management. Inaddition, the Administrative Director monitors the Officeof Bar Admissions and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.• Hon. Verne A. Hodge, Presiding Judge Emeritus,Superior Court of the Virgin Islands• Hon. Thomas K. Moore, Retired Judge,District Court of the Virgin Islands• Hon. Audrey L. Thomas, Judge,Superior Court of the Virgin Islands• Hon. Harold W. L. Willocks, Judge,Superior Court of the Virgin Islands12