PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS

TAMIKA SIMMS WILLIAMS APPOINTED AS CROWN COUNSEL

Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands, 4^th April 2023 - The Attorney General’s Chambers of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Tamika Simms-Williams to the post of Crown Counsel in the Attorney General’s Chambers. 

  Ms. Simms Williams is a Turks and Caicos Islander born on the island of Grand Turk. Prior to pursuing legal studies Ms. Simms Williams attended the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and was awarded an Associate’s Degree in General Studies (Humanities) in 2017. She then attended the Oxford Brookes University and was awarded the Degree of Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in 2020.  She was finally awarded the degree of Masters of Laws (LLM) in the Barrister’s Training Course in 2022. 

Ms. Simms Williams was called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of the Gray’s Inn United Kingdom in November 2022. and commenced pupillage with the Attorney General’s Chambers, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands on 3rd December 2022 and completed in excess of three months training in the practice of law under the supervision of the senior Attorneys in the Attorney General’s Chambers.

Ms. Simms Williams, in commenting on her appointment, stated: 

“It is an honour and a privilege to be appointed as Crown Counsel within the Attorney General’s Chambers. I thank God for making this opportunity possible as I am honoured to serve in this capacity. I will continue to use the knowledge, skills and experience I have acquired to carry out my duties to the best of my abilities. 

I am grateful to those that have bestowed their confidence in me and I look forward to the new challenges and opportunities for growth that this new position will provide.”

Acting Governor and Attorney General, Her Excellency Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles OBE KC, in extending congratulatory remarks to Ms. Simms Williams, stated: 

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Ms. Simms Williams into the Legal profession in the Turks and Caicos Islands and to congratulate her on her recent appointment to the post of Crown Counsel in my Chambers.  We wish Ms. Simms Williams well in her new assignment and assure her of the full support of the entire public service to continue to excel. We expect great things from her.  Congratulations!”

PRESS RELEASE

REVISED

ATTORNEY GENERAL SWORN IN AS ACTING GOVERNOR

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 28 April 2023 – The Governor’s Office is pleased to announce that the Honourable Attorney General, Mrs. Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles OBE KC was sworn in on 28^th April 2023 as Acting Governor for the period May 2 - 15, 2023 in the absence of Her Excellency the Acting Governor, Mrs. Anya Williams MBE who will be out of the Territory.

Honourable Braithwaite Knowles OBE KC is appointed in accordance with section 26(1)(b) of the Constitution.

Notes:

Photos included:  Hon. Braithwaite Knowles OBE KC swears the Oath Allegiance and Oath for Due Execution of Office in the presence of HE Acting Governor Anya Williams MBE.

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, 06 December 2022: The TCI and UK Governments recently commissioned a joint independent review of the management of Crown Land in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Members of the public and a wide range of stakeholders were consulted by Attorney at law Mr R Donhue Gardiner, TCI Attorney with experience in land law and policy development in TCI, and Professor Simon Cooper PhD, an expert in Caribbean land law and registration systems.

The final report, published on 1^st December 2022 contains 146 joint recommendations, to improve the management of this resource and maximise its use for the benefit of all the people of TCI.  The recommendations cover a wide range of areas, including future allocations of crown land, existing conditional purchase leases and unauthorised occupation. It also covers improvements to the processes surrounding crown land in order to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and improve fairness of the distribution of land rights, and details proposed amendments to the Crown Land Ordinance.

Premier Misick and Lord Goldsmith, as UK Minister for the Overseas Territories, have agreed to accept the report’s recommendations, subject to affordability, phasing and legal considerations.

The Premier said “Our two countries share a commitment to a peaceful, prosperous, open, and cooperative access to crown land, while ensuring that it remains a sustainable and resilient resource for generations to come.  I welcome the joint review final report as it remains my governments vision to seek equitable access for the people of these islands.”

Lord Goldsmith said “I welcome this joint review and it’s set of practical and well-considered recommendations to improve the utility of crown land in TCI and generate a more efficient and transparent process. I applaud the Premier for raising his concern with the UK on behalf of TCI. I hope our partnership on this project, drawing on professional expertise, paves the way for future collaboration and is a symbol of our ongoing commitment to work in partnership with the TCI Government. The TCI Government has our full support as they move ahead to implementation and delivery of these reforms.”

Please click here to view the report.