When the territory’s next attorney general replaces Dr. Christopher Malcolm, who has announced that he will not seek a renewal of his three-year contract at the end of the year, he or she will be the fifth AG in less than a decade.
After Dancia Penn served as AG for seven years in the 1990s and Cherno Jallow for seven more in the 2000s, the office has seen an increased turnover rate, with no one serving more than three years since Mr. Jallow stepped down in 2007.
However, that increased turnover isn’t necessarily seen as a problem by legislators and lawyers in the territory.
“It’s not unusual that some people only get a one-period contract,” said at-large representative Archibald Christian. “The government has flexibility.”
“I wouldn’t say it’s a problem,” agreed Arabello di Iorio, president of the BVI Bar Association. “It takes about a year to get your feet under the table and a year to accomplish what you want in that position.”
Now another search is under way. Last week, an advertisement appeared in the Beacon seeking a new AG. In the job description, the Department of Human Resources said it will accept applications through Oct. 15.
See the Sept. 25, 2014 edition for full coverage.
{fcomment}