St Vincent and the Grenadines will have an acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from September 1 to December 31, 2025, following the appointment of current DPP Sejilla McDowall as an acting judge in Dominica.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves announced the temporary change on Thursday night, noting that the Attorney-General has advised him to submit the necessary recommendation to the Chief Justice, who chairs the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission of the OECS Supreme Court.
“This is to facilitate the appointment of an experienced lawyer from the private sector in St Vincent and the Grenadines as acting Director of Public Prosecutions from 1 September to the end of December,” Gonsalves said. “The current Director of Public Prosecutions, Cecilia McDowell, has been appointed as a temporary judge for a six-month period. I believe she will be assigned to Dominica.”
The Prime Minister added that if McDowall’s judicial role becomes permanent, the state will need to decide on a new permanent DPP.
“We will know during that six-month tenure whether that assignment transitions from temporary to permanent,” he said. “We would then need to make a decision, based on a recommendation by the Attorney-General through the usual consultation processes, regarding someone to be permanently appointed as DPP, should the incumbent not return from her temporary judgeship.”
Gonsalves also sought to reassure the public that the DPP’s office will remain fully resourced throughout the acting appointment and beyond. Addressing speculation about recent staff changes, he urged restraint.
“I believe it is crucial to address any concerns about this vital office in the judicial system,” he said. “Regarding those speaking in an uninformed manner about the one or two resignations at the DPP office—specifically, persons further down the line—I urge circumspection and caution against speculation. I see much speculation, yet no one has consulted the Attorney-General or the Minister of Legal Affairs. Therefore, I advise against creating any unnecessary disquiet.”
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