reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 112 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 7 - Small Claims Division of Superior Court|§ 112. Jurisdiction of small claims; appearance in person

 (a) The small claims division of the Superior Court has jurisdiction of all civil actions, concurrently with the civil division of the said court, wherein the amount in controversy does not exceed the sum or value of $10,000, exclusive of interest and costs. (b) Where the amount in controversy exceeds $10,000, exclusive of interest and costs, a party may recover in the small claims division of the Superior Court a sum not exceeding $10,000, with interest and costs, which recovery shall bar the recovery of the residue of such amount in controversy in the Superior Court or in any other court. (c) The plaintiff in a complaint or the defendant in a counterclaim or cross claim may waive the excess of his claim over $10,000, in order to bring it within the jurisdiction of the small claims division of the Superior Court. (d) Neither party may be represented by counsel and parties shall in all cases appear in person except for corporate parties, associations and partnerships which may appear by a personal representative.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 120 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 8 - Magistrate Division of the Superior Court|§ 120. Magistrate Division

 There is established in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands a Magistrate Division in which the procedure, unless otherwise specified, is in accordance with the rules governing the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 121 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 8 - Magistrate Division of the Superior Court|§ 121. Composition

 The Magistrate Division consists of no fewer than two magistrate judges per judicial district and other officers and employees as the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court subject to the authority of the Supreme Court considers necessary for the proper administration and performance of the duties and functions of the division. Each magistrate judge shall reside in the judicial district for which he is appointed. Magistrate judges may not actively engage in the practice of law, nor engage in any other business, occupation, or employment inconsistent with the proper performance of their duties as judicial officers. Magistrate judges may not hold any other public office for which monetary compensation is provided.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 122 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 8 - Magistrate Division of the Superior Court|§ 122. Selection, appointment, qualifications and salaries of magistrate judges

 (a) The Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands shall appoint magistrate judges from a list of nominees submitted to the Superior Court by magistrate judge selection panel of the Superior Court pursuant to subsection (e) of this section. Magistrate judges may be appointed by the Presiding Judge for a term of four years upon the affirmative vote and recommendation of a majority of the active judges of the Superior Court pursuant to rules, standards and procedures adopted by the Superior Court. Sixty days before the expiration of a magistrate judge's term, the Superior Court shall give public notice of the expiration of the magistrate judge's term and seek input and comment from the public. The Presiding Judge shall provide the comments to the judges of the Superior Court. (b) To be eligible for nomination for appointment as a magistrate judge of the Superior Court, the nominee must: (1) be a citizen of the United States; (2) be a member in good standing of the Virgin Islands Bar Association; and (3) have been engaged in the active practice of law in the territory for not less than five years immediately prior to his nomination. (c) Each individual appointed as a magistrate judge shall take the prescribed oath of office before performing the duties of his office. (d) Magistrate judges of the Superior Court are judicial officers of the Superior Court, and each shall receive as full compensation for his services, a salary equal to 85% of the salary of a judge of the Superior Court which may not be reduced during the term of his office without his consent. (e) Magistrate judge selection panel. Whenever there is a vacancy in a magistrate judge position within either judicial district of the Superior Court, the Presiding Judge shall establish a magistrate judge selection panel to provide a list of at least two nominees for the Superior Court to consider in filling the position. The panel must consist of eleven citizens from the judicial district where the vacancy exists, four of whom must be non attorneys. The Superior Court shall adopt rules, standards and procedures for the magistrate judge selection panel to follow in submitting its nominees. Seven members of the committee constitutes a quorum. If the panel fails to submit at least two nominees within 90 days after the Presiding Judge establishes the specific panel, then the Presiding Judge may appoint the magistrate judge without further delay.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 123 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 8 - Magistrate Division of the Superior Court|§ 123. Jurisdiction and powers of Magistrate Division

 (a) Each magistrate judge may: (1) administer oaths and affirmations and issue civil and criminal process, including warrants of arrest, search warrants, subpoenas, and orders, including orders for the release on bail, for detention of persons pending trial and for contempt; (2) take acknowledgments, affidavits and depositions; (3) conduct marriages; (4) hear all non-felony traffic offenses, litter cases, misdemeanor criminal cases where the maximum punishment is limited to not more than 364 days imprisonment; arraignment and probable cause hearings in any criminal or traffic offense matter; small claims cases and probate matters; (5) issue temporary and permanent restraining orders in domestic violence cases; (6) hear forcible entry and detainer and landlord and tenant actions; and (7) hear all civil cases where the amount in controversy does not exceed $75,000. (b) Upon designation by a judge of the Superior Court, pursuant to rules adopted by the court, a magistrate judge may: (1) hear and determine any pretrial matter pending before the court, including matters before the Family Court, except a motion for injunctive relief, for judgment on the pleadings, for summary judgment, for dismissing or quashing an indictment or information made by the defendant, suppression of evidence in a criminal case, dismissal or to permit maintenance of a class action, dismissal for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, and to involuntarily dismiss an action. (2) Conduct hearings, including evidentiary hearings, to submit proposed findings of fact and recommendations for the disposition, by a Superior Court judge, of any motion excepted in subsection (b)(1), of applications of post trial relief made by individuals convicted of criminal offenses and of prisoner petitions challenging conditions of confinement. (c) A judge of the Superior Court may reconsider any pretrial matter handled by the magistrate judge where it has been shown that the magistrate judge's order is clearly erroneous or contrary to law. (d) Upon consent of the parties, the magistrate judge may conduct all proceedings in a jury or non-jury civil matter, including trial and enter a judgment in the case. An order entered pursuant to this subsection is an Order of the Court, appealable to the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands as any other Order.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 124 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 8 - Magistrate Division of the Superior Court|§ 124. Magistrate judge's traffic jurisdiction

 (a) For purposes of this chapter, the term, “traffic offense”, means any conduct or violation of the provisions of titles 20 and 23 of the Virgin Islands Code and related regulations, relating to motor vehicles or pedestrians, or a moving or non-moving violation, which is punishable by a fine or a period of imprisonment of not more than six months. (b) The Magistrate Division of the Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all traffic offenses, except felony traffic offenses. A magistrate judge may: (1) impose any penalty prescribed by law for each offense other than a penalty providing for imprisonment exceeding six months; (2) impose points against a license as may be provided by law; (3) impose as a sanction for a traffic offense including, required attendance at a traffic school, as may be provided by law or order of the court; and (4) suspend or revoke a driver's license as may be prescribed by law. (c) The notice of traffic offense is the summons and complaint in the form described in Rule 151 of the Rules of the Superior Court, known as the “Uniform Traffic Ticket”, which must be filed directly by the issuing officer or prosecuting attorney in the Magistrate Division of the Superior Court. (d) A person receiving a Uniform Traffic Ticket shall appear in court no later than the day specified on the ticket to admit or deny commission of the offense, and if necessary, to docket the case. (e) The issuing officer or person shall present the case to the magistrate judge at the time and place docketed for the traffic offense hearing. The magistrate judge shall place a lien on the vehicle of the offender issued a notice of traffic offense until further appearance or proceedings who, without good cause shown, fails to appear as directed.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 125 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 8 - Magistrate Division of the Superior Court|§ 125. Appeals from the Magistrate Division

 All appeals from the Magistrate Division, except as otherwise provided for in this chapter, must be filed in the Superior Court or to the Supreme Court, if appealable to the Supreme Court as provided by law.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 126 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 8 - Magistrate Division of the Superior Court|§ 126. Rules and procedures

 The Supreme Court shall promulgate rules and amendments to the Rules of the Superior Court as necessary to implement this chapter effectively.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 141 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 9 - Conciliation Division of Superior Court|§ 141. Conciliation division

 There shall be in the Superior Court a conciliation division.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 142 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 9 - Conciliation Division of Superior Court|§ 142. Jurisdiction of disputes

 The conciliation division of the Superior Court may, at the request of any party to a civil controversy, endeavor to effect an amicable settlement of the controversy, and, to that end, may summon the other party or parties to the controversy to appear before the judge for an informal hearing.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 171 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 11 - Family Division of the Superior Court|§ 171. Tenure of judges in the Family Division of the Superior Court; qualifications

 (a) The Governor shall appoint pursuant to section 72 of this title, two Superior Court judges to the Family Division of the Superior Court, one in the division of St. Croix and the other in the division of St. Thomas-St. John. (b) The Presiding Judge shall assign a judge to serve in the Family Division whenever a vacancy is created pending the appointment of a judge or during the temporary absence of a judge. (c) To be eligible for designation as a judge for the Family Division of the court, a person must be trained and knowledgeable in the practice of family law and have the temperament and interest compatible with the functions of the office.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 172 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 11 - Family Division of the Superior Court|§ 172. Jurisdiction over children

 Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, the Family Division of the Superior Court shall have original jurisdiction: (a) Concerning any child living or found within the geographical limits of its jurisdiction: (1) who is neglected or abused; (2) whose occupation, behavior, condition, environment or associations are such as to injure or endanger his welfare or that of others; (3) who is a “person in need of supervision”; (4) who is alleged to have committed a delinquent act within the territory; except that any child sixteen years and over, charged with an offense under Title 20 of the Virgin Islands Code, other than under section 504 thereof, shall be within the jurisdiction of the Traffic Division of the Superior Court. (b) For the treatment or commitment to any mental institution of a mentally defective or mentally disordered or emotionally disturbed child under procedures consistent with Title 19, chapter 31 of the Virgin Islands Code. (c) Concerning any adult, living or found within the geographical limits of the court's jurisdiction, alleged to have committed or to have attempted to commit a delinquent act within the territory prior to having become eighteen years of age. (d) To determine the custody or guardianship of the person of any child living within the judicial division, for adoption or other care provision and to determine parental rights in connection with such proceedings. (e) For judicial consent for the marriage of a child when such consent is required by law.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 173 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 11 - Family Division of the Superior Court|§ 173. Retention of jurisdiction

 (a) When jurisdiction shall have been obtained by the Family Division in the case of any child, such jurisdiction may be retained by the Division until he becomes 19 years of age, unless he is discharged prior thereto by the court. This section does not affect the jurisdiction of other divisions of this court or other courts over offenses committed by the child after he reaches the age of 18 years. (b) If a child already under the jurisdiction of the Family Division is convicted in the Superior Court or District Court of a crime committed after the age of 18, the conviction shall terminate the jurisdiction of the Family Division. (c) If a child is transferred to another court, and the child is convicted in that court for a crime pursuant to the transfer, the conviction shall terminate the jurisdiction of the Family Division. For any crimes after such conviction, the child shall be considered an adult for the purpose of determining jurisdiction.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 174 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 11 - Family Division of the Superior Court|§ 174. Facilities and support personnel for the Family Division

 The Superior Court shall provide for the Family Division hearing rooms that are adequate, appropriate, and safely maintained. The Superior Court shall place as a high priority securing courtrooms and support personnel for the Family Division which are separate and apart from the other courtrooms and support personnel of the Superior Court so as to provide the child and the family a facility and atmosphere that enhances the overall goal of privacy, rehabilitation of the child, and conciliation of the family unit.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 175 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 11 - Family Division of the Superior Court|§ 175. Periodic inspection by the Family Division judge

 Family Division judges shall visit, at least annually, the juvenile pre-trial detention facilities, shelter care facilities, and any other facility providing services to juveniles as a dispositional alternative.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 176 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 11 - Family Division of the Superior Court|§ 176. Definitions

 For purposes of this chapter, the terms “adult”, “child”, “delinquent act”, “neglected or abused” and “person in need of supervision” shall have the same meaning as defined in section 2502 of Title 5, of this code.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 177 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 11 - Family Division of the Superior Court|§ 177. Detention centers of Department of Social Welfare

 The Department of Social Welfare shall establish and maintain a detention center within the jurisdiction of Saint Thomas and Saint John and the jurisdiction of Saint Croix for the purpose of detaining any child under the age of 18 years who is charged with and offense which would be a felony if committed by a person 18 years of age or over.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 211 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 13 - Judicial Council|§ 211. Composition

 There shall be a Judicial Council of the Virgin Islands which shall consist of the justices of the Supreme Court, the chief justice of which shall be chairman, the presiding justice of the Superior Court, another judge of the Superior Court to be designated from time to time by the Presiding Judge, the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary of the Legislature, the vice-chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary of the Legislature, the Attorney General of the Virgin Islands, the Executive Director of Legal Services of the Virgin Islands and Chief Public Defender for the Virgin Islands, the president of the Virgin Islands Bar Association and the vice-president of the Virgin Islands Bar Association. The concurrence of five members shall be necessary to any action taken by the Judicial Council. The Judicial Council may elect a vice chairman from among its members. The Administrator of Courts shall be secretary of the Judicial Council and shall keep minutes of its proceedings.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 212 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 13 - Judicial Council|§ 212. Powers and duties

 (a) The Judicial Council shall serve as a forum for representatives from the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the Government of the Virgin Islands and the Virgin Islands Bar Association to discuss matters of common concern, such as improving the administration of justice in the Territory. (b) The Judicial Council shall from time to time: (1) Meet at the call of the chairman or as otherwise provided by it at least once in six months; (2) Periodically survey the condition of business in the courts with a view to making recommendations for simplifying and improving the administration of justice; (3) Submit to the courts from time to time its recommendations for rules of procedure and other actions which will promote the more effective and expeditious administration of their business; (4) Submit to the Legislature from time to time its recommendations for legislation; and (5) Exercise such other functions as may be provided by law.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 213 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 13 - Judicial Council|§ 213. Travel and per diem

 The members of the Judicial Council shall serve without compensation but the provisions of section 65 of Title 3 of this code shall apply to such members. All vouchers for the payment of travel expenses or per diem pursuant to this section shall be certified by the Chairman of the Judicial Council or his designee.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 215 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 13 - Judicial Council|§ 215. Separate Accounts

 Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the Judicial Council and the Superior Court, in order to promote their orderly and efficient administration and operation, are hereby authorized to establish and maintain separate accounts for the prompt payment of their respective operating expenses.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 241 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 15 - General Provisions Respecting Courts of Justice|§ 241. Proceedings and records public

 The sessions of every court of justice shall be open to the public, except as otherwise provided in subtitle 2 of Title 5. The records of every court of justice shall be public records and, except as otherwise provided in subtitle 2 of Title 5, shall be open to the inspection of any citizen or party in interest under the supervision of the clerk of the court having custody of the records, during business hours.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 242 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 15 - General Provisions Respecting Courts of Justice|§ 242. Civil liability of judge

 No judge or justice shall be liable in a civil action for damages by reason of any judicial action taken or judgment or decision rendered by him in good faith.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 243 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 15 - General Provisions Respecting Courts of Justice|§ 243. Incidental powers of courts

 Every court shall have power: (1) To preserve and enforce order in its immediate presence; (2) To enforce order in the proceedings before it, or before a person or persons empowered to conduct a judicial investigation under its authority; (3) To provide for the orderly conduct of proceedings before it or its officers; (4) To compel obedience to its judgments, orders, and process, and to the orders of a judge out of court, in all actions, or proceedings pending therein; (5) To control in furtherance of justice, the conduct of its ministerial officers and other persons in any manner connected with a judicial proceeding before it in every matter appertaining thereto; (6) To compel the attendance of persons to testify in an action or proceeding pending therein; (7) To administer oaths in an action or proceeding pending therein, and in all other cases where it may be necessary in the exercise of its powers or the performance of its duties; and (8) To amend and control its process and orders so as to make them conformable to law and justice.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 244 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 15 - General Provisions Respecting Courts of Justice|§ 244. Contempt of court

 Any person who wilfully violates, neglects or refuses to observe or perform any lawful order of a court shall be guilty of contempt of court and upon being found guilty of such contempt may be punished as provided by law.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 245 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 15 - General Provisions Respecting Courts of Justice|§ 245. Adjournment for absence of judge

 If no judge attends on the day appointed for a session of any court, or on the day to which it may have adjourned, the clerk may adjourn the court until the next day and so on from day to day until the judge attends or by written order directs the court to be adjourned to a day certain fixed in the order, in which case the clerk shall so adjourn it. In case the judge is absent for more than 10 days or is disabled or disqualified from acting the clerk shall forthwith notify the chairman, or in his absence the vice-chairman, of the Judicial Council of the fact.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 247 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 15 - General Provisions Respecting Courts of Justice|§ 247. Seal

 Each court shall have a seal which shall be kept by its clerk.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 281 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 17 - Judicial Officers|§ 281. Powers of judicial officers as to conduct of proceeding

 Every judicial officer shall have power: (1) To preserve and enforce order in his immediate presence and in the proceedings before him, when he is engaged in the performance of a duty imposed on him by law; (2) To compel obedience to his lawful orders; (3) To compel the attendance of persons to testify in a proceeding pending before him; and (4) To administer oaths to persons in a proceeding pending before him, and in all other cases where it may be necessary in the exercise of his powers or the performances of his duties.
V.I. Code tit. 4, § 282 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 4 - Judiciary|Chapter 17 - Judicial Officers|§ 282. Power to punish for contempt

 For the effectual exercise of the powers conferred in the last section a judicial officer may punish for contempt in the cases and in the manner provided by law.