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 Court and the wider Judicial Branch.
“As they each retire at the end of the year, my colleague, Associate Justice Denise M. Francois and I, will endeavor to continue the good work of the Judicial Branch, work that cannot be accomplished without the dedication and sacrifice of all employees of the Judicial Branch. We will continue to work collectively to advance the rule of law and improve the operations of the local judiciary,” he said.
The October 13 election meeting began at 1 p.m. and was attended by Hodge, Cabret, Willocks and Francois, according to the Judicial Branch’s announcement. The selection was made under Title 4, Section 22(f)(2) of the Virgin Islands Code, which requires a majority of the full-time justices sitting en banc to choose a chief justice from among their members no later than 60 days before the incumbent’s term expires.
Willocks joined the Supreme Court after Governor Albert Bryan Jr. nominated him on January 22, 2024. The 35th Legislature unanimously confirmed him on March 25, and he was first sworn in as an associate justice on May 13, 2024.
His service on the Superior Court began with a six-year term effective January 24, 2010, following his nomination by Governor John P. de Jongh and unanimous confirmation by the 28th Legislature. Governor Kenneth Mapp nominated him for a second six-year term, which began June 2, 2016, after unanimous confirmation by the 31st Legislature.
Bryan nominated Willocks for another six-year Superior Court term in 2023, and the 35th Legislature unanimously confirmed him on June 14 of that year. He subsequently moved to the Supreme Court in 2024.
During his Superior Court tenure, Willocks served as administrative judge, presiding judge and senior sitting judge. Before joining the bench, he spent 22 years in the Office of the Territorial Public Defender, including 18 years as chief public defender.
