General Business Law - Barbados
What the team is known for
Hamel-Smith Caribbean (HSC) is an accomplished litigation boutique law firm that is widely recognised for its work both within Barbados and across the Caribbean. The firm often advises banks, investment companies, and clients in the hospitality sector on insolvency and restructuring cases and shareholder disputes. The team is also experienced in non-contentious matters such as acquisitions and real estate developments.
Strengths
"The lawyers at HSC are able to grasp complex issues, distil them to the root issue, and provide comprehensive advice."
"The team at Hamel-Smith is always calm under pressure, and its key players are able to deal with the most high-value and complex matters. Their responses are always fast, and they are on hand to discuss a case at a moment's notice."
"The team is diverse and experienced, and they treat us in a personalised manner."
"Hamel-Smith is very knowledgeable and we are happy with their services. The firm has been excellent in terms of their service level and responsiveness."
Work highlights
Hamel-Smith Caribbean represented Millennium Investments in a dispute between creditors concerning the insolvency of Grant Hotels.
Notable practitioners
Benjamin Norris is an adept lawyer who leads Hamel-Smith Caribbean's transactional department. He regularly handles real estate mandates as well as corporate and commercial matters, including M&A. "Ben's correspondence is fantastic. His speed is great, and we are very happy with him." "Ben's level of client service and responsiveness is excellent." "Ben offers a tailor-made service. He's a problem solver." "Ben is great to work with. He has been instrumental in handling various challenges that we have faced."
Christopher Hamel-Smith SC is an accomplished lawyer whose expertise includes intellectual property matters and insurance disputes. He is also experienced in insolvency cases and is regularly called upon to sit as an arbitrator. He is based in Barbados but also has a long history of experience in Trinidad and is widely recognised for his experience across the Caribbean. "It's a pleasure to work with Chris. His approach is steady and reassuring." "Chris is excellent. He's a professional I enjoy working with, highly respect and learn from." "Chris is just brilliant. He's astute, calm under pressure, and has a statesman-like approach to advice and guidance on complex and high-profile matters." "Christopher Hamel-Smith is a highly skilled and experienced litigator. He is creative and solution-oriented."
David Hamel-Smith is an increasingly prominent lawyer operating in Barbados. He is particularly active in litigation and risk management matters. "David has great experience with litigation and always displays a high level of legal understanding." "He is fast becoming one of the go-to lawyers in the region. He combines a sound analytical mind with probing research and advocacy skills. He's a pleasure to work with."