Anguilla’s Attorney General, James Wood, has been appointed as a Queen’s Counsel (QC) after serving in the legal profession in England, St. Lucia, Montserrat and Anguilla for a combined period of twenty-four years.
The title was conferred on him by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second. The Warrant of Appointment was presented to Mr. Wood by His Excellency the Governor, Alistair Harrison, on Friday, January 18.
“Her Majesty the Queen has been pleased to appoint James Wood as a Queen’s Counsel. I am therefore presenting him with the appropriate papers signed by myself on behalf of Her Majesty,” Governor Harrison told reporters in the Executive Council Chambers.
Mr. Harrison noted that Mr. Wood had joined two other persons in Anguilla as Queen’s Counsels: former Attorney General, Ronald Scipio, and Acting Appeal Court Judge, Don Mitchell. He said that it was quite possible that other senior lawyers in Anguilla might be appointed QC in due course.
Replying, Mr Wood said in part: “I am very grateful for this honour. I suppose twenty-four years at the Bar involved a great deal of hard work, and I am very happy that perhaps this has reflected that hard work. I am also extremely glad to continue working at the AG’s Chambers here in Anguilla.”
Prior to coming to Anguilla, Mr. Wood served as Attorney General in Montserrat for three years. Before that he worked in St. Lucia for one year. He started his legal career in England where, over the years, he served with the Crown Prosecution Service and in private Chambers.
Mr. Wood’s two-year contract in Anguilla is due to expire in July. The position of Attorney General is currently being advertised, as a condition of the contract, six months prior to expiration.
