Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

AG Dawn J. Smith subjected to 'sexist' line of questioning @ CoI

AG Dawn J. Smith subjected to 'sexist' line of questioning @ CoI

It was a proud and history-making day in the Virgin Islands (VI) on Thursday, October 1, 2020, when for the first time in 21 years an indigenous Virgin Islander, Hon Dawn J. Smith, was sworn in to the post of Attorney General (AG).

That proud and qualified daughter of the Virgin Islands soil is allegedly now being disrespected by the United Kingdom-sponsored Commission of Inquiry.

As part of opening questioning from Council to the Commissioner, Bilal Rawat, on Day 10 of the CoI hearing on June 14, 2021, Hon Smith was told to give a "short summary" of her professional background before becoming AG, a request that has been frowned upon by members of the public.

Mr Rawat, whose participation in the inquiry has now come under heavy scrutiny over whether he may be illegally practising law in the territory, having not been admitted to the BVI Bar, had asked that the AG tell Commissioner Gary R. Hickinbottom about her career background.

“Can I begin by asking you just to give the Commissioner a short summary of your professional background before you assume the position of Attorney General to the British Virgin Islands,” he said.

AG Smith’s response after a noticeable pause to the alleged sexist line of questioning was to repeat in a seemingly sarcastic tone, "a short summary of a long life,” before complying.

Mr Balil Rawat, whose participation in the inquiry has now come under heavy scrutiny over whether he may be illegally practicing law in the territory, without having been admitted to the BVI bar, had asked that the AG tell Commissioner Gary R. Hickinbottom, about her career background.


Humiliating & alleged sexist


One social commentator speaking to your newsroom on condition of anonymity has called the questioning by Mr Rawat to be out of line, humiliating, and sexist towards a respected professional and highly accomplished local woman like Hon Smith.

In essence, Mrs Smith- a career legal professional- was asked to explain her entire career, in a 'short summary' on what she did before she got the job as Attorney General, while under scrutiny from a panel of men at the live hearing.

One legal professional, speaking to our news centre, said Rawat’s questioning of “Tell the commissioner what you did before you got the job, but keep it short,” comes across as condescending, sexist, and disrespectful since that information is easily accessible.

Speaker of the House of Assembly (HoA) Honourable Julian Willock, left, has come to the representation of the legislature and its Honourable Members, following alleged disrespectful treatment meted out by the sole Commissioner of the Inquiry into governance in the Virgin Islands, Gary R. Hickinbottom, right.


‘Highhandedness’ – HoA Speaker


Addressing the overall ‘disrespect’ from the Commissioner and the CoI, House Speaker Hon Julian Willock had yesterday, June 14, 2021, accused Commissioner Hickinbottom of ‘highhandedness’ & having no regard for the HoA.

"Take for example; the one-man commissioner had the audacity to ask the fifteen grown adult members of the Legislature to write him an essay on what is good governance?” Hon Willock told the opening of the Virgin Islands Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Members Training on, Monday, June 14, 2021.

According to public credentials on the BVI Government website, Honourable Smith holds a Certificate of Legal Education from Norman Manley Law School in Kingston, Jamaica; Bachelor of Laws, Upper Second Class Honours from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados; and a Bachelor of Liberal Arts, cum laude with Highest Honours in Sociology-Anthropology from Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont, USA.

She previously served as General Counsel at the Financial Services Commission (FSC) from 2013 to 2020 where she developed corporate policies, procedures and programmes; and was the key legal advisor to the FSC and the BVI International Arbitration Centre to ensure compliance with internal policies and applicable laws.

Private Attorney & acting PS


Hon Smith was also seconded to Premier's Office as Acting Permanent Secretary from 2017 to 2019, where she handled the strategic management and administration of the Premier's Office including supervising and coordinating the work of departments under the Premier’s portfolio; preparing and managing the ministry's annual budget; developing and implementing strategic plans; and serving as an Ex-Officio member on statutory boards and organisations such as the BVI Tourist Board and BVI Finance.

Ms Smith also has prior professional experience as Attorney at Conyers Dill & Pearman, from 2009 to 2012 and again from 2002 to 2006; as Director, London Office, 2006 to 2009; and as Attorney at O'Neal Webster O'Neal Myers Fletcher & Gordon, 1997 to 2001.

Her current professional credentials and memberships include Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC), Arbitral Women, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Supreme Court of England & Wales (non-practising), Notary Public for the Territory of the Virgin Islands, BVI Bar Association and Barrister, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Virgin Islands).

Ms Smith has also made various community contributions to the Intellectual Property Review Committee, BVI Reading Council, the Public Service Commission, the Court Review Committee and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, amongst many others.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×