BVI Laws 2019–2022 Certified
Acting Governor David D. Archer Jr. has formally certified the Laws of the Virgin Islands for 2019, 2021 and 2022, completing an annual legal authentication process required by the Acts (Authentication) Act, Revised Edition 2023. The Attorney General's Chambers submitted 12 bound volumes of authenticated Acts and Statutory Instruments that will form part of the official statute record for public reference.
Archer Jr. has completed the formal certification of the Laws of the Virgin Islands for 2019, 2021 and 2022, a statutory requirement under the Acts (Authentication) Act, Revised Edition 2023. The Attorney General's Chambers handed over 12 bound volumes containing the authenticated Acts and Statutory Instruments for those years as part of the annual process to verify and preserve the territory’s legislation.
Formal certification is an administrative but legally important step that confirms the authenticity of Acts passed by the House of Assembly and the Statutory Instruments made under them. By certifying the printed volumes, the Acting Governor ensures there is an authoritative record of the law that can be relied on by courts, government departments, legal practitioners, businesses and members of the public.
Statutory Instruments, which are included in the certified volumes, are subordinate legislation used to implement and administer Acts of the House of Assembly. They often contain the detailed rules and procedures that affect day-to-day matters — from regulatory requirements to administrative procedures — and their authentication alongside primary legislation helps preserve the full legal framework in force for each year.
For residents and businesses in the British Virgin Islands, the completed certification reinforces legal certainty and transparency. An authenticated statute book reduces the risk of disputes about what the law says, supports consistent application by public authorities, and provides a reliable source for lawyers, researchers and members of the public seeking to understand their rights and obligations.
The Acts (Authentication) Act, Revised Edition 2023, under which this work was carried out, sets out the current procedures for producing and certifying official copies of legislation. The Attorney General’s Chambers will retain the certified volumes as part of the official records; these authenticated texts are intended to be preserved and made accessible for public reference, forming the reference point for the territory’s law.
Citizens with questions about specific laws or how recent statutes may affect them are advised to consult the Attorney General's Chambers, seek legal advice, or follow official government releases for information on access to the certified volumes and the updated statute book.
Primary source: Guavaberry