Hamel-Smith Caribbean | Boutique Litigation Firm based out of Barbados, West Indies
At Hamel-Smith Caribbean we focus on helping our clients to manage legal risks and to resolve disputes in a strategic, business-like and cost-effective manner.
Caribbean law, Law in the Caribbean, Barbados law, law in Barbados, Barbados lawyers, lawyers, Barbados litigation, Litigation lawyers, Litigation lawyers in Barbados, Top litigators, best litigators, best litigators in Barbados, best litigators in the Caribbean, best litigation lawyers, best litigation lawyers in Barbados, best litigation lawyers in the Caribbean, courts in Barbados, Barbados jurisdiction, Jurisdiction in the Caribbean, dispute, disputes, dispute lawyers, arbitrator, arbitration, negotiation, negotiations, corporate litigation, commercial litigation, shareholder dispute, trinidad lawyer, st vincent lawyer, st kitts lawyer, belize lawyer, dominica lawyer, nova scotia lawyer, canadian lawyer in the caribbean, canadian lawyer in barbados, dispute resolution, business clients, oil and gas law, senior counsel, queen’s counsel, QC, SC, jurisdiction, caribbean jurisdictions, litigation boutique
16274
page,page-id-16274,page-template,page-template-full_width,page-template-full_width-php,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,qode-theme-ver-6.5,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-4.4.3,vc_responsive
 

The Team

MEET THE TEAM

Christopher Hamel-Smith S.C.

Chris represents clients in Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Kitts & Nevis, Belize and other Caribbean jurisdictions.

The majority of Chris’ work involves dispute resolution and litigation for business clients, particularly in the Financial, Energy, Telecommunications/ Information Technology and Sports/Entertainment sectors.

He is also frequently engaged in significant Constitutional and public law litigation.

Appointed Senior Counsel (“Silk”) in 2003, Chris regularly acts as lead Counsel before the Courts and in Arbitrations.

Chambers Global has ranked Chris as a leading business lawyer in Trinidad & Tobago (Band 1) for the last 10 consecutive years.

On days off, Chris likes to swim in the ocean, surround himself with family and friends and listen to Calypso music (preferably all at the same time).

Education:

1981: Barrister, The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn

1980: LL.B (Hons) University of Bristol

Bar Admissions:

England & Wales, 1981

Trinidad & Tobago, 1982

Trinidad & Tobago, 2003 (Silk)

St. Kitts & Nevis, 2003

Dominica, 2004

Belize, 2007

Barbados, 2010

St. Vincent & the Grenadines, 2014

David Hamel-Smith

David is primarily focused on dispute resolution and litigation. David’s work involves commercial litigation, public law, and bankruptcy matters spanning Trinidad, Barbados, St. Vincent and St. Kitts & Nevis.

In recent years David has been centrally involved with several substantial matters including: the litigation of a shareholder dispute in a multi-million dollar business; the successful mediation of an employment dispute involving the head of a regional business; the judicial review of a boundaries dispute which was central to a general election; and the representation of a trustee in a contentious bankruptcy matter. 

Outside of the office, David enjoys spending time at the beach with his wife and two boys. He is also an avid fisherman. David and Paul share a boat (Mamzelle) on which they enjoy competing in regional fishing tournaments.

Education:

2009: BA. Queen’s University (Ontario)

2012: J.D. Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia)

2014: L.E.C. Hugh Wooding Law School

Bar Admissions:

Nova Scotia (Canada), 2013

Barbados, 2014

Trinidad & Tobago, 2014

St. Kitts & Nevis, 2015

St. Vincent & the Grenadines, 2017

Benjamin Norris

Ben is responsible for the Transactional department at Hamel-Smith Caribbean. He focuses on Corporate & Commercial matters including the provision of Company Services such as formation, shareholding & secretarial services. Ben also handles the firm’s Real Estate transactions including conveyancing and secured lending. His Commercial portfolio ranges from Insurance Law to Mergers & Acquisitions. 

Prior to joining Hamel-Smith Caribbean, Ben initially spent six years as a Litigation Associate before becoming the General Counsel for a large regional group of companies based in Barbados. His purview included 10+ jurisdictions and 1000+ employees which afforded him the opportunity to develop a wide range of commercial competencies. 

Ben ultimately aims to be less lawyer and more “trusted advisor” and applies his diverse business background to finding commercially viable solutions for the Firm’s clients. 

Outside of being an Attorney, Ben is a proud husband and father of two boys. He is also an avid Motorsport enthusiast – when he’s not in the office you will find him either pulling navigator duties in a rally car or driving through the mud in an off-road competition.

Education:

2006: LLB, The University of London, UK

2007: LPC, BPP Law School, Holborn, London, UK

2008: MA IBM, Masters of International Business & Management University of Westminster, London, UK

2011: LEC, Hugh Wooding Law School

Bar Admissions:

New York, USA, 2010

Barbados, 2011

St. Vincent & the Grenadines, 2017

Paul Hamel-Smith

Paul straddles the litigation/dispute resolution and transactional/corporate departments at Hamel-Smith Caribbean. Although still early in his career, Paul has already worked on several substantial litigation matters as well as provided clients with key corporate and transactional services. 

Paul enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, surfing, and is also a talented fisherman. He regularly captains his fishing team in regional tournaments.

Education:

2014: BA, The University of Western Ontario

2017: BPTC, The University of the West of England

2018: GDL & LLB, BPP University

2020: LEC, Hugh Wooding Law School

Bar Admissions:

England & Wales, 2018

Barbados, 2020

Amanda Goddard

Amanda is responsible for keeping Hamel-Smith Caribbean on track as the premium boutique law firm in the Caribbean. Amanda manages the day-to-day logistics of the firm and also provides key support as a Legal Assistant.

Amanda has over 10 years’ experience assisting with Civil Litigation matters as well as Corporate & Commercial matters, including conveyancing and managing the corporate secretarial work for a large regional group of companies.  

When Amanda is not in office she is likely on a hiking trail or crossing another destination off her travel list.

Education:

2009: LLB, The University of Sheffield, UK