Mr. Ronald Scipio has taken his seat at the Inner Bar of the Supreme Court in Anguilla where he will now be wearing the specially-designed silk gown. He has been accorded the honour and privilege after serving in Anguilla for nine years, first as Principal Crown Counsel and later as Attorney General. His installation took place at a ceremonial sitting of the High Court on Friday, September 29, presided over by Justice Janice George-Creque. The occasion followed his appointment as Queen’s Counsel in March this year which was announced by former Governor Alan Huckle.

Dame Bernice Lake, QC, RonaldScipio, QC and Allan Alexander, QC

The application for Mr. Scipio’s installation was made by Lawyer Allan Alexander of Trinidad and Tobago who praised him for his achievements in the legal field and for the manner in which he carried out his duties. He said the new Queen’s Counsel had served Anguilla “with loyalty, integrity and ability” and outlined his education background.

Mr. Scipio, who was born in Guyana, left there at an early age with his parents for the United Kingdom where he received his secondary education. He entered the University of Westminster in 1981 and obtained the Bachelor of Laws Degree in July 1984. He then studied at the College of Law in London and completed the Solicitor’s Final Examination in 1986. In December 1988 he was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales. He joined the firm of Keith Hollis Wood &Company in London and became a partner in 1990.

Mr. Scipio and staff of the Attorney General’s Chambers

He left London in 1998 for Anguilla where he assumed the post of Principal Crown Counsel in the Attorney General’s Chambers. He was appointed Attorney General in April 1988. In 2000 he obtained a Master of Laws Degree (with credit) in Criminal and Corporate Law from the University of London where he was an external student. He was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2002 following his decision to transfer from the solicitor branch of the legal profession. In March 2006 he was appointed Her Majesty’s Counsel.

Mr. Scipio is now opening a new chapter in his legal career as he will be entering the private sector, becoming a partner in the firm of Caribbean Associated Attorneys in Anguilla. He was scheduled to relinquish his post of Attorney General on September 30, but agreed to stay on until December pending the arrival of the new Attorney General, Barbadian Wilhelm Bourne, who is completing his service in Bermuda.

Mr. Scipio and family

Dame Bernice Lake QC congratulated Scipio and said his installation as Her Majesty’s Counsel was “a momentous occasion for any legal practitioner.” Among other things, she challenged him to advance the frontiers of jurisprudence and to be a model of integrity and leadership.

Courtney Abel, Immediate Past President of the OECS Bar Association, said the occasion was one of celebrating “all that is best and noble in the legal profession.” He spoke highly of Mr. Scipio’s achievements saying he ranked among other distinguished lawyers in the Caribbean. He commended Scipio for his work in improving the Attorney General’s Chambers over the years. He made special mention of the law reform project in Anguilla which has not only updated the laws, but made them easily accessible to all persons.

Mr. Scipio and friends

Mr. Scipio’s longstanding friend, Patrick Patterson, spoke as President of the Organisation of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations and in his personal capacity. He said the Attorney General was a role model for other practitioners in the legal field. He reflected on their earlier years including a period when they both were accomplished musicians in the UK before studying law. He was delighted to see how Scipio had progressed so well over the years and said he was proud of him.

Other speakers were staff members of the Attorney General Chambers, Dawn Holder and Chanelle Petty-Barrett. They spoke of Mr. Scipio’s leadership skills, dedication, attention to detail, his aim at perfection and other qualities which had inspired them and led to team building and the smooth operation of the Chambers.

Justice Janice George-Creque welcomed Mr. Scipio to the Inner Bar and offered him her best wishes for a long and fruitful practice. She noted that those at the ceremony included Governor Andrew George, Deputy Governor Stanley Reid, Acting Chief Minister, Victor Banks, and the other Ministers, many legal practitioners as well as Mr. Scipio’s family. His family members included his mother, stepfather, three of his five children, four sisters and an aunt.

In his reply, Mr. Scipio expressed gratitude to all for their support and good wishes and pledged to continue to maintain the high ethical standards which had characterised his career over the years. He was aware of the significance of his appointment as Her Majesty’s Counsel and his call to the Inner Bar, and emphasised his commitment to professionalism and respect for the highest traditions of the Court.

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