The Constitutional Functions of the Governor

The Deputy Governor advises and assists the Governor in carrying out his or her responsibilites as laid out in the Virgin Islands Constitution. The Governor's areas of special responsibility are:

• the terms and conditions of service of persons holding or acting in public offices;
• external affairs (excluding any which have been delegated, as prescribed in section 60 (4) of the constitution, to ministers);
• defence, including the armed forces;
• internal security, including the police force;
• and the administration of the courts.

In addition, the Governor has the following other functions which may be exercised in his/her discretion or otherwise:

1. The Governor is the Chairman of Cabinet according to section 49 (1) of the Virgin Islands Order 2007.  A Cabinet Steering Group, consisting of the Governor, Premier and the Cabinet Secretary, set the agenda for Cabinet meetings. Both the Governor and Premier are entined to inscribe items on the agenda.  The Cabinet meets once per week, usually on Wednesdays, to make decision under the executive authority of the country.
2. On the recommendation of the Public Service Commission, the Judicial and Legal Services Commission and Teaching Services Commission the Governor appoints and disappoints officers from the Public Services.  In this regard he works closely with the Human Resources Department, Permanent Secretaries and Deputy Governor’s Office.
3. The Governor also has the constitutional authority to remove non-belongers (foreign nationals including UK citizens) from the territory under certain conditions in consultation with the Chief Minister.  These conditions include service of custodial sentences exceeding certain duration and violations of certain sections of the Immigration Act.
4. Certain sections of the Pensions Act of 1957 authorizes the Governor to grant award of pensions under certain and varied conditions.
5. The Governor, according to Sections 43 and 44 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order of 2007, is authorized to grant pardons or varying of sentences of convicted persons after consultations with the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.

For more on the Constitution of the BVI, click here.

For more on the Governor's Office, click here.