Profile - Christopher Hamel-Smith - M. Hamel-Smith & Co.

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Attorney Profile

Christopher Hamel-Smith, S.C.

Partner Emeritus

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Phone: 868 299 0981
Mobile: 868 353 1000

Bar Admissions

1981: England, United Kingdon and Wales

1982: Trinidad & Tobago

2003: Trinidad & Tobago (Silk)

2003: St. Kitts/Nevis

2004: Dominica

2007: Belize

2010: Barbados

2014: St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Areas of Practice

General Commercial Litigation
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Commercial Arbitration
Telecommunications and e-Commerce
Constitutional Law

Litigation Percentage

80%

Profile

As Partner Emeritus in the Dispute & Risk Management Department, Christopher Hamel-Smith works along with a team of professionals focused on avoiding, managing and resolving commercial disputes cost-effectively. They utilize negotiation, alternative dispute resolution and litigation processes, as appropriate, in order to most effectively protect and advance clients’ interests.

Christopher handles significant commercial disputes, particularly matters involving issues in Intellectual Property, Information and Communications Technology, e-Commerce, Employment, Banking and Finance, Admiralty and Antidumping.

Since his admission as a barrister-at-law in Trinidad & Tobago in 1981 and the United Kingdom in 1982, Christopher has practised as an advocate before the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Industrial Court. He is widely recognised as one of the most thorough and formidable advocates practicing at the commercial bar in Trinidad & Tobago. He also regularly represents clients in arbitration proceedings, mediations and negotiations.

He has a special interest in the legal aspects of Information Technology and e-Commerce, and has written extensively and delivered many presentations on these topics. A collection of some of his articles written to introduce Trinidad & Tobago’s business community to legal issues in this area, and their options for managing the associated risks. He was a member of the Cabinet appointed National Electronic Commerce Policy Committee which was charged with developing Trinidad & Tobago’s national policy for e-Commerce.

A keen supporter of using appropriate alternative dispute resolution processes, Christopher is on the panel of mediators maintained by the Dispute Resolution Centre of the Trinidad & Tobago Chamber of Commerce. He also collaborates with the Institute of Business at the University of the West Indies in providing negotiation skills training for business executives.

Reported Cases

1998: 55 WIR 374: Grell-Taurel Ltd v Caribbean Home Insurance Ltd and Others
Joseph Nahous & Co Ltd v Maritime General Insurance Co Ltd and Others (1998) 54 WIR 387: Thomas and Another v Baptiste and Others

1998: 54 WIR 387: Thomas and Another v Baptiste and Others (1997) 52 WIR 440: Well Services

1997: 52 WIR 440: Well Services Ltd v Board of Inland Revenue

1996: 50 WIR 462: Attorney General v M M Brokers Ltd

1995: 49 WIR 371: Sumayyah Mohammed v Moraine and Another(1994 – 45 WIR 392: Wallen and Another v Baptiste and Others (No 1)

1985: 38 WIR 272: Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Co of the West Indies Ltd v Maillard

Rankings and Accolades – Chambers Global 2015-2023: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business

Christopher Hamel-Smith SC is featured in this directory with a Senior Statespeople Ranking among the corporate/commercial lawyers in Trinidad & Tobago. A sample of the commentaries reported by Chambers Global include:

“Christopher Hamel-Smith SC is an acclaimed barrister who is currently based in Barbados and also has considerable experience in Trinidad & Tobago. He demonstrates especially notable expertise in bankruptcy and insolvency cases as well as shareholder disputes and constitutional law.” – 2023

“He’s one of the top names I would think of if I had to refer a client for any significant commercial litigation.” – 2022

Christopher Hamel-Smith SC is a respected figure with noteworthy expertise in intellectual property, financial services, telecoms and insurance disputes. He supports other members of the disputes team on numerous cases arising in these sectors and others, and is regularly called upon to sit as an arbitrator. – 2021

Christopher Hamel-Smith SC is a prominent figure in litigation and arbitration, with decades of experience in both areas. One commentator singled him out as “an extremely detailed master of his brief” who is “capable of pursuing early resolution through sensible negotiations.” – 2020

Christopher Hamel-Smith SC is highly regarded by peers for his “absolutely first-class judgement.” He specialises in commercial litigation and IP, and sources say: “He is simply excellent.” – 2015