Judiciary

Harold Willocks Elected to Succeed Rhys Hodge as Chief Justice of the Virgin Islands Supreme Court

Associate Justice Harold W.L. Willocks was elected Tuesday to serve a five-year term as chief justice of the Virgin Islands Supreme Court beginning December 13, 2026, Administrator of Courts Regina Petersen announced. He will succeed Chief Justice Rhys S. Hodge and become the second person selected to lead the territory’s Supreme Court. The election comes as the court’s three founding justices prepare to leave the bench. In a statement accompanying the announcement, Willocks said Hodge and Associate Justices Maria M. Cabret and Ive Arlington Swan will retire at the end of the year. Willocks said, “I am honored by the vote of confidence of my esteemed and distinguished colleagues to assume the mantle of leadership of the Judiciary of the Virgin Islands and to continue to serve the people of the Virgin Islands in this capacity.” He thanked Hodge for 20 years of service and leadership as chief justice and recognized all three founding justices for their contributions to the Supreme Cour...