A new Attorney General is to be recruited in Anguilla to replace the current holder of the post, Mr Ronald Scipio. A release from the Governor’s Office said Mr Scipio gave notice to the Government on March 16 that he would not be renewing his contract for another two years when it expired on March 31, 2006.

The release noted however that Mr Scipio had agreed to stay on for another six months up to September 30, to allow time for his successor to be appointed. The post will be advertised in April and will be open to suitably qualified applicants from Anguilla and elsewhere.

The release continues as follows:

Attorney General Ronald Scipio

The Hon Attorney General, Mr. Ronald Scipio, today gave notice to the Government of Anguilla that he will not be renewing his current contract for another two years when it expires on 31 March ‘06. He has, however, agreed exceptionally to extend by another six months up to 30 September ’06 to allow time for a successor to be appointed. The post of Attorney General will therefore be advertised in April and will be open to suitably qualified applicants from Anguilla and elsewhere. Mr. Scipio will continue to carry out his duties as Attorney General within this period until his successor is appointed and takes up post.

Mr. Scipio first indicated his intention to return to private practice in Anguilla when his previous contract expired in 2004 but was persuaded by Governor Johnstone to remain in office to feed in the new Governor and to cover the general elections which were due constitutionally in March ’05. He has now been persuaded by Governor Huckle to remain in office for such time as is necessary to recruit and appoint a new Attorney General, which should take no more than six months. The appointment of his successor will be made by the next Governor, Mr. Andrew George.

Mr. Scipio, appointed in September 1997, is the longest serving Attorney General in Anguilla and is also one of the longest serving Attorneys General in the Caribbean region. He has served the Government and people of Anguilla with distinction for 11 years, having earlier been appointed Senior Crown Counsel in the Attorney General’s Chambers in 1995.

In giving notice, Mr. Scipio said that, during his eight years as Attorney General, he had achieved the main targets that he set for himself and now requires a fresh challenge. He has enhanced significantly the professionalism and reputation of the AG’s Chambers and has improved the service provided by:

(i) creating two posts of Senior Crown Counsel to improve the presentation of criminal and civil matters in Court;
(ii) restocking and maintaining the library in the AG’s Chambers to a professional standard; and by
(iii) increasing the drafting capability at the Chambers to give adequate support to the Government’s legislative agenda

One of his major achievements has been the consolidation and revision of the laws of Anguilla, first concluded in 2000 and then brought up to date every two years in 2002 and 2004. The next consolidation and review will begin in December 2006.The legal profession and the people of Anguilla now have a body of laws that are current and accessible, both electronically and in booklet form, which will benefit the legal profession by the time saved when undertaking research. It is the first time in the region, and possibly the world, that a continuing consolidation and review process has been established in an Attorney General’s Chambers. Anguilla now serves as a model in this regard for the rest of the Caribbean region. Arrangements are well under way for the establishment of a Regional Law Revision Centre in Anguilla, which will serve Anguilla, Montserrat and the Turks & Caicos Islands in the first instance. The centre, seed-funded by the UK Government, should be up and running by June/July ’06.

Another significant achievement of his, because of its importance to the development of the Anguilla economy, has been the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector following lengthy and protracted negotiations with Cable & Wireless. Those negotiations were led by Mr. Scipio and supported by PS MICUH, Mr. Kenn Banks. The benefits to the Anguilla economy of a liberalized telecommunications sector are already being felt in lower telephone and internet rates and improved quality of service.

As Attorney General, Mr. Scipio has consistently provided advice of the highest quality to the Government of Anguilla as a whole on the legal aspects and constitutionality of all matters pertaining to government, including policy, law, legislation and contracts. As an ex-officio member of the House of Assembly, Mr. Scipio has also provided advice to the Speaker and to elected members on constitutional and procedural matters. He has been responsible for the drafting of new legislation and its introduction and guidance through the House. He has also exercised the functions of Director of Public Prosecutions in criminal cases and of Solicitor General in civil matters involving the Crown.

Mr. Scipio informed the Government that he will continue to reside in Anguilla and would therefore be in a position to make his legal expertise available to the Government after his successor has been appointed, if required. He thanked the Government for affording him the opportunity to serve the people of Anguilla.

His Excellency the Governor and Ministers of the Government of Anguilla expressed their warm appreciation of Mr. Scipio’s service as Attorney General and welcomed his preparedness to continue in office until a successor is appointed.

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