Establishment; composition; sessions; seal

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  • The Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands is established pursuant to section 21(a) of the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands, as amended, as the highest court of the Virgin Islands and in it shall be reposed the supreme judicial power of the Territory. As used in this chapter, “Supreme Court” or “Court” means the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands established under this section.
    • (a) The Supreme Court shall consist of a Chief Justice of the Virgin Islands and no fewer than two but no more than four associate justices. Any decision must be concurred in by a majority of the justices of the Court, but one of the justices may adjourn the Court from day to day or to a day certain.

    • (b)

      • (1) The Supreme Court shall hold one term annually, commencing at such time and continuing for such period as it may by rule determine.

      • (2) The Supreme Court shall hold regular sessions on the island of St. Croix, commencing at such times and continuing for such periods as the Court from time to time directs.

      • (3) The Court may hold special sessions from time to time in any location throughout the Territory, as the Chief Justice considers appropriate.

      • (4) The offices or chambers of the respective justices need not be in St. Thomas, but may be located in the island where the justices respectively reside.

    • (c) The Supreme Court may transact business at any time. Adjournments from day to day, or from time to time, are construed as recesses in the sessions, and do not prevent the Supreme Court from sitting at any time.

    • (d) The seal of the Supreme Court shall be the Great Seal of the Government of the Virgin Islands, as set forth in Title 1 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 7, section 108(b), substituting the words “Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands” around the vignette of the seal.


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