Dame Janice Pereira, former Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC), has been appointed to His Majesty’s Privy Council by King Charles III, opening a new chapter in her distinguished career.
Pereira, who hails from Virgin Gorda, made history as the first female Chief Justice of the ECSC, a position she held from 2012 until her recent retirement earlier this year. Her appointment to the Privy Council acknowledges her outstanding service to the judiciary and further cements her status as a trailblazer in the legal field.
During her tenure as Chief Justice, Pereira was instrumental in modernising the court system, particularly through the implementation of digital justice platforms. These innovations proved crucial in maintaining the accessibility and efficiency of the judicial system during challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Privy Council, one of the oldest judicial institutions in the United Kingdom, serves as the final court of appeal for many Commonwealth countries, including those in the Eastern Caribbean. As a member, she will provide legal advice to the Sovereign and contribute to decisions on matters of importance across the Commonwealth.
The announcement, made Wednesday, also included the appointments of First Minister of Wales, Baroness Eluned Morgan, and First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, to the Privy Council.