CHRISTOPHER HAMEL-SMITH, S.C.

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.