ST. THOMAS - The Virgin Islands Bar Association has moved to disbar 40 of its members for non-payment of dues. Of the more than three dozen names appearing on the list, none of the attorneys showed up for their show cause hearing held Friday before Chief Justice of the V.I. Supreme Court Rhys Hodge and Justice Maria Cabret and Justice Ive Swan.

"It's a serious matter and the court is taking it seriously, and I think some of the attorneys who didn't show up are overlooking the possibility that it might affect their ability to practice elsewhere," V.I. Bar Association treasurer K. Glenda Cameron said.

"If a person is admitted to any other Bar, that person is required to give notice to those other Bars of a suspension," Cameron added.

According to the bylaws of the Bar Association, active members are required to pay annual membership dues of $100. Members who have been admitted for less than a year pay $50. The dues, the bylaws state, are payable on or before Jan. 1 for the ensuing calendar year.

The treasurer is required to file a motion with the court during the second week of April calling for the suspension from membership and the practice of law in the Virgin Islands of all delinquent members.

During Friday's proceedings, Cameron informed the court that of the 60 people who did not pay their dues, 13 received a notice to appear and show cause why they should not be disbarred. Of those 13, none attended Friday's hearing and they will now face motions to suspend by default.

Of the remaining 47 attorneys, the Bar Association was unable to serve 27. They will be notified of the pending motions to suspend by publication, Cameron said.

Petitions to suspend the remaining 20 attorneys have been dismissed because they either contacted the Bar Association asking for a hardship waiver or have brought their account up to date, Cameron said.

She said her office had been receiving payments from delinquent members up to the morning of the hearing.

"The ones we were unable to serve may have left the island without leaving a forwarding address. If lawyers are leaving the jurisdiction and they wish to no longer be associated with the V.I. Bar Association, it is very simple to file a motion with the court asking to resign from the association," Cameron said.

Following Cameron's presentation, Hodge directed her to put her motions in writing before the court proceeds.

Cameron said members could still have the pending motions lifted by making the delinquent dues payments.