By Staff Reporter
Attorney JS-Archibald
On Friday, April 4, 2014 shock waves went through the legal fraternity as they learnt of the untimely death of one of the Eastern Caribbean’s prominent Attorney J. S. Archibald. The 80 year old lawyer and husband of current Deputy Governor of B.V.I, V. Inez Archibald passed at his home in McNamara sometime over the course of the night.
Described by his firm as “without doubt one of the finest lawyers in the Commonwealth,”, he was the founder of the B.V.I based law firm – J.S. Archibald and Co. He was called to the bar in 1960 and recently denied media reports that he was stepping away from practice.
The St. Kitts born Attorney was one of the Eastern Caribbean’s most experienced advocates. His name was one of 18 names of outstanding members of the Washington-based World Jurist Association inscribed on the Rule of Law Monument on the Austro-Hungarian Border in St. Margarethe, Austria in 1999.
“We extend condolences to his wife, Deputy Governor of the Virgin Islands, V. Inez Archibald and the family in this time of bereavement,” a statement from Acting Premier, Hon. Dr. Kedrick Pickering noted.
Dr. Archibald, QC was also described as highly intelligent with a brilliant mind and was one of the best conversationalists ever known to the Acting Premier of the B.V.I. “He was a legend of his era and one of the most renowned legal minds in the Caribbean. Dr. Archibald, QC was instrumental in shaping the rules and guidelines for ethical practices and behaviour for practicing barristers and solicitors at the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. His legacy in the BVI and the entire Caribbean is unmatched,” Dr. Pickering stated.
During his lifetime, Dr. Archibald served as Chairman of the BVI Telecommunications Regulatory Commission and founding member of the BVI Bar Association; President of the BVI Bar Association. Additionally, he also served as founding President of the OECS Bar Association and Chairman of the of the Constitutional Committee of the 13 World Law Conference in Seoul, South Korea.
Dr. Archibald also served as Chairman of the Detention Review Tribunal of the Commonwealth of Dominica in 1981 on the emergency detention of an ex Prime Minister, the Commanding Officer and other officers and soldiers of the Dominica Defence Force.
He was also an Acting Judge of the Supreme Court of the West Indies Associated States assigned to Dominica in 1978 and was also a member of the Executive Council (now the House of Assembly) as Crown Attorney, now called the Attorney General.
Dr. Archibald represented Geraldine Cabey at the Court of Appeal where he was successful in quashing her conviction and at the time of his passing was representing Warren Cassell in his appeal to the Privy Council in London. The Staff and Management of TMR offer sincere condolences to the bereaved family on the passing of Dr. Archibald.
