Case Caption: Murphy Riggings & Erecting, INC., v. Virgin Islands Water & Power AuthorityCase Number: SEC- CIV-2021-0054Date: 03/22/2022Author: Hodge, Rhys S. Citation: 2022 VI 5Summary: In a proceeding to domesticate in the Virgin Islands a Minnesota default judgment, the Superior Court erred when it recognized that the petition for domestication of the Minnesota judgment had been signed and filed on behalf of the plaintiff by individuals not authorized to practice law in the Virgin Islands, yet nevertheless granted the petition. Because the petition was a legal nullity, the Superior Court’s order purporting to grant the petition, as well as all other documents filed and orders entered in the proceeding, were also nullities without any legal effect. Accordingly, the March 13, 2020 order as well as the later August 30, 2021 order are vacated as nullities and the Superior Court is directed upon remand to dismiss the petition for domestication. In addition, the two individuals associated with the petition are referred to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, the Board on Professional Responsibility, the Board on the Unauthorized Practice of Law, and the Virgin Islands Department of Justice, for any other appropriate action with respect to their unauthorized practice of law.

Attachment: Open Document or Opinion