St Vincent and the Grenadines has welcomed a new judge who will temporarily preside over criminal matters in the High Court.

His Lordship, Justice Richard Floyd, who has been cris-crossing the globe undertaking many legal responsibilities, has now made his way to the High Court in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) as a judge, to fill in for Justice Brian Cottle who is currently on leave.

Justice Floyd was introduced by Justice, Rickie Burnett on Tuesday, January 16, at the opening of the Assizes at the High Court in Kingstown.

There, Floyd met 92 jury members, as well as representatives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution(DPP), and members of the Bar Association.

According information from the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, the Canadian-born has served as a Crown Counsel in Canada, adjudicated matters in the British Virgin Islands and served as Head of the Criminal Division, worked as a prosecutor in Australia, and oversaw the development of Antigua’s first dedicated Criminal Court while serving there in the Criminal Division.

Justice Floyd also taught at Queen’s University Law School in Canada. In 2016, he was recognized as an International Fellow with the National Association of Attorney’s General in Washington, DC. He also served in the territory of Montserrat and in the Criminal Division and the Civil section in the High Court in Dominica.

He received tertiary education in the University of Ottawa, York University, and attended Harvard University in the United States. He has been active in his local communities, having served on the Board of Directors for Hospice in both Canada and Antigua; as a board member for addictions and community mental health organizations; and as a long-time member of the Ontario Soccer Association.

Crown Counsel, Renee Simmons, welcomed the new judge on behalf of the DPP and said, “We pray that we have a successful 2024.”

On behalf of the Bar Association Defence Counsel, Carl Williams, also welcomed Justice Floyd saying he hopes “that we get along.” Williams also assured the judge that, “We are a peaceful nation.”

Justice Floyd addressed the court and said that he is “absolutely delighted to be here.”

“I look forward to serve this community as a Justice in this court,” he added.

He said that is somewhat familiar with “this part of the world” as his mother’s side of the family has roots in Grenada.

Justice Floyd is set to officially begin duties today Friday, January 19, where the jurors will make their appearance in order to be selected to adjudicate matters.