Timothy Hamel-Smith
Partner Emeritus
Phone: 868 299 0981
Mobile: 868 680 5884
Bar Admissions
1973: Trinidad & Tobago
1978: United Kingdom
2003: St. Kitts/Nevis
Areas of Practice
- Corporate and Securities
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Banking and Financial Services
- Project Finance
- Capital Markets
Profile
Timothy Hamel-Smith’s core practice is in the commercial area specializing in project and bank financing, having been engaged in the majority of the financings of world-scale projects in the petrochemical and other energy and energy-based industries in Trinidad, as well as bank financings, and capital market transactions including bond issues, securitizations, derivatives and other swap structures throughout the Caribbean. He has also been involved in a number of high-profile mergers and acquisitions.
He was admitted to practise law as a solicitor in 1973, after graduating from the College of Law in England. He was appointed Head of the firm’s Corporate/Commercial Department in 1988.
Rankings and Accolades – Chambers Global 2006 – 2023: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business
Timothy Hamel-Smith is featured in this directory with a No. 1 Ranking (2006-2022) among the corporate/commercial lawyers in Trinidad & Tobago. A sample of the commentaries reported by Chambers Global include:
“He is well respected by his fellow professionals.” – 2023
Clients find him “…to be very astute. He quickly understood the issues, got directly to the point and was able to give sound advice within a relatively short period of time.” – 2022
Timothy is one of Trinidad & Tobago’s most experienced transactional lawyers, having overseen a large number of matters in the course of a career that spans close to five decades. His work of late includes advising on the acquisition of non-controlling stakes in notable banking and insurance entities. – 2021
A “top operator and top commercial lawyer,” Timothy Hamel-Smith continues to impress interviewees. Sources emphasise his practical, down-to-earth approach, stating: “He gets straight to the point.” He handles an array of work, including takeovers, real estate acquisitions and share purchases, acting for clients in numerous areas, including the financial services sector. – 2020
“is a well-established and highly experienced figure who continues to handle major commercial transactions, including mergers, takeovers and buyouts. He also has a strong presence in the project finance and capital markets fields.” – 2019
“excellent outside-the-box thinking.” – 2018
“his exceptional knowledge and experience in corporate law…. “one of the best people in the country for securities law.” – 2014
“one of the best transactional lawyers in Trinidad… “very innovative, very good at lateral thinking and understanding where you are trying to get to.” – 2013
“praised for his extensive experience in cross-border transactions, he is ‘an incredibly smart guy, able to offer detailed analysis and find solutions to issues’” – 2012
“solid grounding in local law and ability to explain local law to an international clientele.” – 2011
“he has an excellent reputation, with clients describing him as “the best corporate finance brain in the region.” – 2010
he is described by clients as “one of the best commercial lawyers around.” “He specializes in project and bank financing, and is also fêted for his work in capital markets.” – 2009
Recent Experience includes Representation of:
- KfW-IPEX Bank, in connection with a US$200M Loan Facility to Methanol Holdings (Trinidad) Limited (‘MHTL’);
- FirstCaribbean International Bank (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited (‘FCIB’) as arrangers and lenders in connection with several medium to long term US$ and TT$ secured facilities advanced to meet the corporate financing needs of various SMEs in Trinidad and Tobago;
- HSBC Bank plc in connection with a US$76M Loan advanced to Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (‘TTEC’);
- Carisal Unlimited, a Trinidad and Tobago incorporated company owned by US interests which is to construct and operate a chemical plant in Trinidad with a Capex of US$240 million;
- Royal Bank of Canada US$250 million financing of Methanex Corporation.
Publications
Co-Author: “From inception to termination – Mergers & Acquisitions” featured in the T&T Guardian newspaper, August 7, 2022
“Security Market Regulations: Trinidad & Tobago” – Euromoney Publications 1994
“Investor’s Guide to Trinidad & Tobago”
“FAQ – Companies Act 1995” – Trinidad Express 1995
Seminars & Presentations
2021: Panelist – Human Rights and Banking-A Dialogue on Economic and Social Rights, Caribbean Centre For Human Rights, December 9, 2021;
2019: Anti-Corruption Conference “Crackdown on Corruption – Facing the Reality”, Trinidad & Tobago Transparency Institute.
2004: Sixth Annual Caribbean Commercial Law Workshop in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
2001: “Responsibilities and Duties of Directors” – South Chamber of Commerce
2000: Project Financing – Caribbean Commercial Law Conference, Jamaica
1999: Innovative Infrastructure Financing: Legal Vehicles, Loan & Security Documentation – U.W.I (Institute of Business)
1998: Trinidad & Tobago: Regulatory Framework – Tourism Development Company
Selected Business & Professional Activities
2000: Member of the committee appointed by the Law Association to review and make recommendations for the amendment of the Companies Act 1995 and the Regulations made thereunder.
1998: Member of a Government Appointed Task Force to review the framework within which State-owned companies function.
1997: Member of the Government appointed Committee to review and recommend amendments to the Companies Act.
Professional Memberships
Education
Graduate of the College of Law, Surrey, England.