2010 Annual Report - Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands

JUDICIAL OUTLOOK
The Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands remains committed to
continued growth and sound development. The dedication of our
workforce, coupled with our shared strategic vision, will continue
to pay dividends to the community that we serve.
Appellate Case Management Project
For the upcoming fiscal year of 2011, the Supreme Court remains
committed to concluding its Appellate Case Management Project.
Specifically, the Court will complete the functional specifications
and implement the e-filing module, bringing to conclusion a
project that would have been ongoing for three (3) years.
Appellate Case Performance Standards
With the automated case processing environment being close
to completion, the Court will then begin to develop appropriate
Appellate Case Performance Standards. The standards will
provide a working guideline of the Court’s time line for case
processing. It is an initiative that is sure to increase the public’s
trust and confidence in the judiciary.
Review of the Virgin Islands Lawyer Discipline System
In the upcoming fiscal year, the Court intends to review the lawyer
discipline system in the Virgin Islands. Presently, discipline of
the lawyers in the territory is handled through a the Ethics and
Grievance panel of the Virgin Islands Bar Association. Despite
their efforts, claims are generally not processed timely. Further,
there is no provision for a Client Protection Fund to reimburse
litigants for damages incurred due to the ethical violations of
counsel. Working along with the Virgin Islands Bar Association,
the Court will consult with the ABA Standing Committees on
Professional Discipline and Client Protection to survey the state
of lawyer discipline in the territory.
Five (5) Year Review
December 18, 2011 will make five (5) years since the Supreme
Court has been in operation. At that time, the Third Circuit
Court of Appeals will be completing a review to determine
whether the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands has instituted
sufficient institutional traditions to warrant a recommendation
to Congress that the appeals of the Court go directly to the
United States Supreme Court. This type of review is not novel
as our sister territory of Guam also followed the same path in
developing its judicial independence.
Continuity of Court Operations Plan (COOP)
The Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands will complete and
implement its COOP to ensure that the Court is prepared to
facilitate operations after a disaster. To this end, the Court will
secure off-site data storage to back-up critical data and ensure its
redundancy and availability in the event of a disaster.
Job Classification and Compensation Study
The Supreme Court will conclude the Job Classification and
Compensation Study in fiscal year 2011. With the initial draft
report having been received in fiscal year 2010, the Court will
review the submission, share its content with court personnel,
and develop an implementation plan for any needed changes.
Supreme Court Strategic Plan
The Court will continue to implement its strategic plan in
fiscal year 2011 by focusing on its governance, human capital,
infrastructure and facilities, communications and outreach. The
strategic plan is the goal to which all our justices and employees
strive. To be successful in our efforts, the Court must engage
and seek the continual support of the other two (2) branches of
government, the trial court, the Virgin Islands Bar and the public.
Community Outreach
The Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands will finalize the
implementation plan to increase civic education in the schools.
The Court will provide resources on the iCivics and Justice
Files programs, while making available technical support to
the educators.
CONCLUSION
The Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands remains true to its
vision of being a model of judicial excellence. Serving the public
in a fair and impartial manner remains our utmost priority.
Accordingly, the Court invests in its human resources, facilities
and technology to ensure that a great level of productivity,
transparency and accountability is maintained. We hope by
doing so that we will earn the public’s reward---their trust
and confidence.
In fiscal year 2011, the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands
intends to review all its case processes and operations in order
to ensure that the Court is adequately prepared for the review by
the Third Circuit.
Facility Management
In 2011, the Court will complete the renovations of the first floor
of the Court’s premises in St.Croix, providing offices for the
Clerk’s Office personnel and administrative staff. In addition, a
lift will be installed to facilitate ADA access to the second floor.
The Court currently estimates a completion date of June 2011.
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