Carib Scope

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  • Trump Administration Announces US$8 Million Initiative Benefiting Antigua and Other Caribbean Nations

    Trump Administration Announces US$8 Million Initiative Benefiting Antigua and Other Caribbean Nations

    Against a growing backdrop of transnational synthetic drug trafficking threatening Caribbean regional security, the United States has announced an $8 million investment to boost forensic capabilities across the region, unveiled during the second Caribbean Regional Forensic Leadership Summit held in Saint Lucia from May 20 to 22.

    Hosted jointly by the Saint Lucia Forensic Science Laboratory and the U.S. Department of State under the long-running Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), the summit brought together forensic experts, prosecution officials and security leaders from 14 Caribbean nations, including delegations from Antigua and Barbuda’s Forensic Services and Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The gathering also included representatives from the Caribbean Regional Security System and CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS), aligning regional stakeholders around a shared goal of countering cross-border criminal networks.

    The new U.S. funding will be directed toward three key priorities: delivering cutting-edge synthetic drug detection equipment, providing specialized technical training for local forensic staff, and deepening collaborative ties with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The primary objectives of the investment are to enhance regional capacity to detect fentanyl and other dangerous synthetic opioids, cut through persistent backlogs in regional forensic laboratories, and strengthen the credibility of forensic evidence to meet court admissibility standards for prosecuting transnational organized crime cases.

    A landmark outcome of this year’s summit was the official launch of the Caribbean Forensic Scientific Working Group, the first region-wide coordinated platform designed to connect Caribbean forensic practitioners directly with U.S. subject-matter experts. The new body will work to standardize forensic protocols, improve reporting practices across national jurisdictions, and streamline cross-border cooperation on criminal investigations. Additionally, the summit marked a key milestone for the DEA’s Global Uniformity for Analytical Reporting and Drug Seizures (GUARDS) program, with Saint Lucia and Guyana becoming the first Caribbean nations to adopt the framework for standardized analysis and reporting of drug-related evidence.
    “This ongoing partnership between the United States and Caribbean nations reflects our shared commitment to dismantling transnational criminal networks and addressing the rapidly evolving threat of synthetic drugs across the region,” said U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Sarah Nelson during the summit.

    The CBSI has served as the foundation for U.S.-Caribbean security cooperation for more than a decade. Since the initiative launched in 2010, Antigua and Barbuda and dozens of other Caribbean states have collaborated with the U.S. to shore up regional security infrastructure, crack down on drug trafficking routes, and dismantle transnational criminal organizations operating in the region, with this new forensic investment marking a major expansion of that shared work.

  • KPMG Global head of healthcare highlights digital opportunities for Barbados

    KPMG Global head of healthcare highlights digital opportunities for Barbados

    Barbados is emerging as a potential regional trailblazer in integrated digital healthcare, following a high-level visit last week from KPMG’s global healthcare leadership that brought together cross-sector stakeholders to map a collaborative path forward for the sector. Beccy Fenton, KPMG’s Global Head of Healthcare, traveled to Bridgetown to hold targeted discussions with policymakers, academic researchers, and public and private healthcare leaders, centered on unlocking the full potential of digital health innovations across Caribbean island nations.

    Fenton’s visit was hosted by KPMG Barbados and the firm’s specialized Global Centre of Excellence for Island Healthcare, a unique hub led by Dr. Edward Fitzgerald, Head of KPMG Islands Group Healthcare and Life Sciences. The center was designed to aggregate global insights and best practices from island healthcare systems around the world, creating space for cross-stakeholder networking and knowledge exchange — a core priority that framed all activities during Fenton’s trip.

    A central public engagement of the visit was Fenton’s keynote address at the University of the West Indies Digital Health Symposium, which carried the theme “From Innovation to Impact: Advancing Digital Health in the Caribbean.” In her remarks, Fenton challenged attendees to move beyond the fragmented, isolated digital health projects that currently characterize much of the region’s progress. Instead, she pushed for the development of fully governed, interoperable, data-centric systems that can turn existing investment into tangible gains in care access, cross-provider coordination, and patient health outcomes.

    “Barbados has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a more connected, resilient, and patient-first health system through intentional digital transformation,” Fenton told attendees. “The urgent priority right now is to move past the basic digitization of paper records that is the current status quo, and build integrated, interoperable systems that work across the entire continuum of care. These systems will expand access to care, reduce burdens on frontline clinicians, and deliver better results for patients. With strong cross-sector collaboration, clear governance frameworks, and a sustained focus on building public trust, Barbados is perfectly positioned to set a regional example for digital health adoption.”

    Alongside the symposium, KPMG’s island healthcare team led a hands-on workshop focused on one of the region’s most persistent operational challenges: reducing the rate of missed outpatient appointments. Using a fictional but contextually realistic case study, participants mapped existing clinic appointment workflows, identified targeted digital interventions that could cut no-show rates, and prioritized solutions that are both financially realistic and scalable across small island health systems.

    Workshop attendees represented a broad cross-section of the digital health ecosystem, including frontline clinicians, health system managers, digital health practitioners, policymakers, and implementation partners. Their collaborative problem-solving during the event underscored the core principle that multidisciplinary cooperation is non-negotiable for solving common systemic health challenges.

    Later in the week, Dr. Fitzgerald hosted an evening reception attended by senior Barbados Ministry of Health officials, academic leaders, public and private health provider representatives, and delegates from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). In remarks at the reception, Fitzgerald emphasized that any successful effort to scale digital health strategies must be rooted in three core foundations: digital inclusion, widespread health literacy, and public trust. These must be paired with strong privacy protections, transparent governance, and clear patient consent frameworks, he noted, to ensure communities feel confident that their personal health data remains secure.

    “By learning from the experiences of other island jurisdictions, we can adopt strategies that have already proven successful, and avoid costly missteps and fragmented system development that holds back progress,” Fitzgerald explained. “With the right foundational frameworks in place, Barbados can quickly build secure, integrated systems that eliminate redundant care, cut administrative burdens for providers and patients, and improve overall patient outcomes. The potential gains for the country are enormous: beyond addressing the growing burden of chronic disease, robust digital health can help build a healthier, happier, and more productive population for generations.”

    Closing out the week of engagements, Christopher Brome, Office Managing Partner for KPMG in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, emphasized the tangible quality-of-life benefits that well-implemented digital health strategies can deliver to ordinary Barbadians. “Thoughtfully rolled out digital healthcare can bring care closer to home for so many people in our country,” Brome said. “The ability to consult a clinician remotely, cut down on time spent traveling and waiting for appointments, and access continuous support through tools like remote patient monitoring can have a transformative positive impact on the lives of people across our community. We are excited to continue the important conversations we started last week as we work toward this shared goal.”

  • Update on Scotland District Road Rehabilitation Project

    Update on Scotland District Road Rehabilitation Project

    Following 14 months of intensive construction and rehabilitation work, a key rural roadway at Airy Hill Bottom in St Joseph has officially reopened to vehicle and pedestrian traffic, marking a major milestone in a government-led infrastructure upgrade initiative across the region. The completed project forms part of the Ministry of Transport and Works’ (MTW) $230 million Scotland District Road Rehabilitation Programme (SDRRP), delivered in a partnership between main contractor China National Complete Plant Import and Export Corporation (COMPLANT) and local sub-contractor Infra Construction Inc.

    Major upgrade works targeting improved road safety and long-term infrastructure resilience on Airy Hill kicked off in early 2023. At the project launch, George Holder, MTW’s official project representative for the SDRRP, outlined the full scope of work for the site, which included full realignment of the road’s path and complete replacement of an aging, failing culvert. Holder explained that the original road layout featured a notoriously dangerous curve that had long been a safety hazard for motorists, while the existing culvert had degraded beyond repair.

    “The old culvert could no longer handle peak water flow during heavy rain events, so we are increasing its overall capacity to prevent flooding and future structural damage,” Holder noted of the upgrade.

    Beyond the completed Airy Hill Bottom project, Holder provided an updated progress report on other active infrastructure projects across the Scotland District, confirming that three critical bridge structures are currently under active construction: Melvin Hill Bridge in St Joseph, and Dark Hole Bridge and Brucevale Bridge in St Andrew. Both Melvin Hill Bridge and Dark Hole Bridge were forced to close last year after suffering sudden structural failure, making their replacement a top priority for the ministry.

    Holder added that the project team initially faced significant access challenges when trying to reach the Dark Hole Bridge site, but those barriers have now been resolved. Construction is proceeding on schedule, with a full completion target set for August 2024.

    At the Brucevale Bridge site, the project team is on track to finish all foundation work by the end of June 2024. Once foundations are finalized, crews will move forward to construct the bridge’s superstructure and side abutments, followed by installation of the finished bridge deck. The full Brucevale Bridge replacement project is projected to wrap up in late August to early September 2024, at which point the connecting roadway will reopen to public traffic.

    Progress is also advancing on upgrade works along the Ermie Bourne Highway, where multiple aging culverts and structural components are being replaced after decades of wear and erosion. In the Cattlewash section of the highway, paving has already been completed, and construction crews have now moved north to continue upgrades along the stretch leading into Barclays Park.

    This report was provided via public notice from the Ministry of Transport and Works.

  • Mas’ wire craft push aims to revive ‘dying art’, create jobs

    Mas’ wire craft push aims to revive ‘dying art’, create jobs

    A transformative regional project aimed at breathing new life into the fading traditional craft of masquerade wire bending kicked off Thursday in Barbados, with organizers laying out a clear plan to turn this centuries-old cultural skill into accredited, income-generating livelihoods for creators across the Caribbean’s booming festival sector. The initiative was formally introduced during the Spirit Bond gathering in Bridgetown, with the launch of the Wire Sculpting for Masquerade Workshop, a collaborative effort between the Pinelands Creative Workshop (PCW), the National Cultural Foundation, Caribbean Yard Campus, and the Maria Holder Trust.

    Speaking at the launch, PCW Chief Executive Sophia Greaves emphasized that the programme extends far beyond a standard technical training course, framing it as a deliberate multi-pronged effort to protect at-risk cultural heritage, empower local creative communities, and drive intentional growth across the Caribbean’s creative economy. “Today marks a profound milestone as we officially opened this wire bending workshop,” Greaves said. “I don’t see tools and wire and workspaces. I see the living heartbeat of our heritage, the sparks of economic opportunity, and the incredible power of a shared regional vision.”

    Greaves explained that the programme is structured to convert existing informal cultural knowledge into long-term, sustainable professional careers, opening multiple pathways for participants. Graduates will be able to launch their own small creative businesses, pursue full-time roles in the regional creative industry, or take on commercial design contracts tied to the Caribbean’s world-famous carnival and festival circuit. “This workshop is about building economic agency,” Greaves said. “We are investing in your talent so that you can turn heritage into sustainable livelihoods.”

    A core component of the initiative is the push to formalize the craft through international-standard professional accreditation. Greaves revealed that PCW is already in active discussions with Caribbean Yard Campus to develop official Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) pathways for all participants, a move that will formalize skills that have long been passed down informally through community networks. “We are actively moving towards cementing these traditional skills into formal qualifications,” she said. “This will ensure that the skills you hone in community spaces are recognised globally, giving you formal accredited certification as professional artisans and cultural practitioners.”

    Val Jerry, the lead workshop facilitator, noted that as carnival costume design evolves to incorporate new synthetic materials and align with modern trends, preserving the foundational techniques of traditional wire bending has become increasingly urgent. He described the craft as a “dying art,” pushing back against the idea that newer materials can fully replace the structural benefits wire frameworks bring to large, elaborate masquerade costumes. “We know carnival is changing. It has always changed from the beginning and it will keep changing,” Jerry said. “But you have to draw the line somewhere. There’s no excuse for vulgarity.”

    He went on to highlight the unique structural advantages of hand-bent wire, noting that the material can hold rigid angles that modern alternatives like fiberglass cannot replicate. “Wire is probably the only material that could give you a 45-degree angle and not move. You can’t do that with fiberglass,” he explained. “So we look to see the strong points and we incorporate this into costume building.” Jerry added that the workshop is not focused on freezing the craft in the past, but rather on adapting traditional wire bending techniques to fit the evolving needs of modern Caribbean carnival design, balancing heritage preservation with contemporary creative demands.

  • Former All Saints Secondary Teacher Donates Exam Packages to Students Needing Extra Support

    Former All Saints Secondary Teacher Donates Exam Packages to Students Needing Extra Support

    A former educator from All Saints Secondary School is turning her personal experience and professional passion into tangible support for students who need extra academic help, launching a new community-focused outreach initiative to lift up underserved learners at her former workplace.

    Andrecia Lewis, the founder of local tutoring service A.G.L Tutoring, rolled out the first iteration of her give-back program on Friday, rolling out tailored resources and encouragement to students in two cohorts — Classes 1A1 and 2A1 — which are primarily made up of learners requiring additional academic assistance beyond standard classroom instruction.

    For Lewis, the initiative is far more than a community project: it is a deeply personal mission rooted in both her years of teaching at the school and her own identity as a neurodivergent person living with Sensory Processing Disorder. She has long centered her work on elevating students who are often sidelined in traditional education systems, saying that connection to the school community makes this effort particularly meaningful.

    “As a former teacher at the institution, this initiative was especially meaningful to me, as I remain passionate about supporting students who are often overlooked and reminding them that they are capable of succeeding,” Lewis shared in a statement about the launch.

    Her personal experience with neurodivergence shapes her core belief: learners with varied abilities deserve targeted extra support and accessible resources to build their confidence, boost their academic motivation, and create a more inclusive, positive educational experience that meets their unique needs.

    Looking ahead, Lewis plans to expand this work through A.G.L Tutoring, with a long-term goal of driving sustained positive change for local education and student development across the broader community, while also advocating for wider public understanding and more robust institutional support for neurodivergent learners at all grade levels.

  • South Castries, VF South move on in Blackheart U20

    South Castries, VF South move on in Blackheart U20

    Two more teams have locked in their places in the last eight of the Blackheart/Saint Lucia Football Association Under-20 Boys’ Knockout Tournament, following decisive Round of 16 fixtures hosted Wednesday night at the Philip Marcellin Grounds in Vieux Fort. South Castries and Vieux Fort South now join previously qualified Gros Islet and Dennery in the tournament’s quarterfinal lineup.

    The first match of the night delivered a hotly contested Castries derby, where South Castries dominated their local rivals Central Castries to claim a clean 2-0 win. South Castries got off to a fast start, with Tyler St Rose opening the scoring just 12 minutes into the game. The side held onto their 1-0 lead through halftime, before Armani Lesmond extended their advantage in the 49th minute to seal the victory.

    In the second Round of 16 clash, hosts Vieux Fort South came out swinging against Mon Repos, who had earned their spot in this round with a narrow 3-2 win over Desruisseaux just one week prior. Vieux Fort South stunned their opponents with an explosive early start, netting two goals in the opening 15 minutes to jump to a 2-0 lead. The first goal came from Jeremie Toussaint, followed by an own goal from Mon Repos defender Seth Reneau. 17 minutes into the second half, Tristan Alphonse put Vieux Fort South up 3-0, seemingly putting the game out of reach.

    But Mon Repos mounted a late, brave fightback that prevented a lopsided scoreline. In the final minute of regulation time, Andreas Charlery scored two quick goals to cut the deficit to one, ending the match at 3-2 in favor of Vieux Fort South. Despite the late rally, Mon Repos was eliminated from the knockout competition, while Vieux Fort South advanced to the quarterfinals.

    The tournament’s next round fixtures will kick off in Soufriere on May 29. Two quarterfinal matches are scheduled for that date: Choiseul will face off against Mabouya Valley, and Canaries will take on Eastern Zone champions Roseau Valley, who advanced to this stage after winning their qualifying match. On May 31, top-seeded La Clery will make their quarterfinal debut against Micoud, and Southern Zone champions Soufriere will play Anse La Raye.

  • DPSU general-secretary urges more proactive approach by union members

    DPSU general-secretary urges more proactive approach by union members

    In a stirring address to union delegates gathered at the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) headquarters in Roseau this week, General Secretary Thomas Letang has issued a urgent call to rank-and-file members: shift from passive reaction to proactive participation to protect hard-won worker protections. His remarks headlined the 13th iteration of the union’s biennial delegates convention, a landmark gathering that brings together grassroots members, union leadership, and cross-sector representatives to map the organization’s strategic course for the next two years. This year’s convening, which drew nearly 100 delegates, centered its discussions around the unifying theme: “Investing In Ourselves, Organising For Workers’ Rights And Benefits.”

    Beyond setting strategic priorities, the convention serves multiple critical purposes for the DPSU: it allows delegates to review past progress, hash out new initiatives focused on advancing worker rights and benefits, explore paths for organizational growth and member self-development, and strengthen the union’s collective voice in advocating for public service employees across Dominica.

    In his keynote address, Letang pushed back against a culture of dependency that he says has weakened the union’s impact. He argued that the idea that successful advocacy relies solely on the work of the union’s executive committee is a dangerous misconception that must be rooted out entirely. “It is only after ridding oneself of mental slavery that a worker will be able to yield to the call to be organized so that collectively we can strive to preserve hard, thoughtful workers’ rights and benefits,” Letang told delegates.

    The DPSU leader emphasized that broad, collective participation is non-negotiable for the union to deliver meaningful gains for its members. He called out what he described as a growing culture of passivity among many current members, and criticized non-members who benefit from the union’s work without contributing to its efforts, labeling these free-riders “parasites.”

    “There are just too many passive, inactive, and non-members, the latter, which I refer to, or I would prefer to refer to as parasites, who are not contributing as they should in ensuring that there are positive outcomes emanating from the union’s effort,” Letang said. “Let us, for a change, be more active than reactive. Let us face the many challenges confronting us head-on.”

  • Fiscal council re-established to strengthen public purse oversight

    Fiscal council re-established to strengthen public purse oversight

    Against a backdrop of escalating global economic volatility and years of ongoing fiscal reform after a major debt restructuring, the Government of Barbados has formally re-established an independent Fiscal Council, a move designed to embed greater transparency and accountability into the country’s long-term debt reduction strategy, the Ministry of Finance announced Thursday.

    The newly reconstituted five-member body, which draws together cross-sector expertise from economics, finance, banking, and organized labor both within Barbados and across the international community, carries a clear, public-focused mandate: to verify the credibility of the economic and financial projections that form the foundation of the national budget, assess whether the government is meeting its legally and politically binding fiscal responsibility commitments, and track emerging long-term fiscal risks ranging from underperformance at state-owned enterprises to unplanned contingent liabilities and climate-related financial exposures. To keep the public fully informed, the council will publish independent annual evaluations of four key government documents: the national Fiscal Framework, the Mid-Year fiscal review, the Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update, and the annual national budget. All reports will be made freely accessible to any Barbadian citizen who wishes to review them, the ministry confirmed.

    “The council’s only job is to examine the evidence and report its findings transparently to the people of Barbados,” the ministry stated in its official announcement.

    Leadership of the new council includes Ismail Momoniat, former acting director general of South Africa’s National Treasury, who will serve as chairman, and Winston Moore, a professor of economics and deputy principal at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, who takes on the role of deputy chairman. The remaining council members are Nlandu Mamingi, emeritus professor of economics; Donna Wellington, chief country management officer at CIBC Caribbean; and Cedric Murrell OBE, a veteran labor relations consultant and former president of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations (CTUSAB). The council has already convened its first meeting, formalized its operating mandate, and begun its core work, according to the government statement.

    The Fiscal Council was first launched in May 2023 as a core component of Barbados’ International Monetary Fund (IMF)-backed economic reform program, which was launched after the country completed a sweeping debt restructuring process to pull its public finances back from unsustainable levels. This reconstitution comes as the Mia Mottley administration works to sustain investor confidence and fiscal stability while navigating persistent global economic headwinds and working toward long-term debt reduction targets set under the ongoing reform initiative.

    Barbados entered the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility program in October 2018, when its public debt had surged to roughly 160% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). By June 2024, concerted reform efforts had cut that ratio to 117% of GDP, with projections showing the downward trend continuing and a long-term target of reducing debt to 60% of GDP by 2035.

    A defining feature of the new council is its full operational independence from government, the finance ministry emphasized: the body is non-statutory, not controlled by any executive branch ministry, and does not answer to political leaders. This autonomy is critical to its ability to deliver unbiased assessments, officials noted.

    Finance Minister Ryan Straughn framed the reconstituted council as a critical accountability mechanism at a moment of ongoing global economic instability. “Good governance is not just about making the right decisions, it is about being willing to be held accountable for them,” Straughn said. “No government gets everything right. Governing a small island nation in the middle of a turbulent global economy is serious work. What matters is that there are credible, independent people watching, ready to say so when we fall short and to confirm it when we do not. When they say we have fallen short, we listen, we adjust, and we act. That is how good governance actually works in practice.”

    Straughn also paid tribute to former council chairman Alejandro Werner, the former head of the IMF’s Western Hemisphere Department, who led the body during its initial setup phase. “Alejandro never treated this as a ceremonial role,” Straughn said. “He asked hard questions, he pushed for rigour, and he left the council in better shape than he found it.”

    The work of the Fiscal Council aligns with broader international recognition of Barbados’ commitment to sound fiscal management. A 2024 report from the United States Department of the Treasury, which evaluated IMF lending programs to Barbados and Suriname, noted the council was established to “further demonstrate commitment to sound fiscal management” and added that the body will hold the government accountable for transparent implementation of a fiscal strategy focused on cutting public expenditure, reforming state-owned enterprises, and embedding the Medium-Term Fiscal Strategy into permanent institutional practice.

    With the reconstitution complete, the Fiscal Council of Barbados is now fully operational, the government confirmed.

  • Russia offers support to Africa on colonial reparations calculations

    Russia offers support to Africa on colonial reparations calculations

    As global momentum behind the movement for colonial and slavery reparations continues to build, Russia has announced it stands ready to offer technical and research support to African countries seeking to quantify historical damages for restitution claims. The announcement came via Irina Abramova, director of the Institute for African Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences, during a press conference focused on unpacking the long-lasting harms of colonial rule.

    Per an official release from the African Initiative research project, Abramova outlined a proposed collaborative framework that would bring together cross-disciplinary experts from both Russia and Africa. Teams of Russian mathematicians, data programmers, historians, and economic analysts would partner with African researchers to systematically document, measure, and build evidence for the economic and social damage inflicted during centuries of colonial exploitation and the transatlantic slave trade. The end goal of this joint work is to produce substantiated, evidence-based calculations of reparations amounts that African nations can use to back legal claims in major international forums.

    Abramova emphasized that rigorous, well-documented numerical analysis and verified historical records are non-negotiable foundations for any successful reparation claim against former colonial powers. Without this concrete evidence, efforts to secure compensation face far higher barriers to being taken seriously on the global stage.

    She also clarified Russia’s position in the global reparations movement, noting that Moscow did not launch or lead the current push for restitution. Russia has long held the stance that solutions to Africa’s historical and contemporary challenges must be led by African stakeholders themselves. Abramova pointed to the existing African Union Reparations Committee, chaired by former Ghanaian president John Dramani Mahama, as the central coordinating body for the movement aligned with this principle.

    Abramova’s remarks come just two months after a landmark United Nations General Assembly vote held in March 2026, where member states took a historic step to formally classify the transatlantic slave trade and system of racialized chattel slavery as “the gravest crime against humanity” in global history. The resolution passed with 123 votes in favor, a strong majority that signaled growing global recognition of the historical injustice. However, the vote also exposed deep divides among Western nations: all 27 European Union member states and the United Kingdom abstained from the vote, while the United States, Israel, and Argentina voted outright against the resolution’s acknowledgment of the crime.

  • Veteran lawyer backs ‘McKenzie friend’ services amid bar association dispute

    Veteran lawyer backs ‘McKenzie friend’ services amid bar association dispute

    A heated public debate over the role of unlicensed legal supporters known as “McKenzie friends” has gripped Barbados, after the Barbados Bar Association (BBA) issued a rare public warning naming three community and political figures it says are not authorized to offer legal services. The BBA specifically called out Winston Clarke, Colin Roach and Quincy Jones, alerting residents that none of the three have been formally called to the island’s bar and are not entered on the official roll of licensed practicing attorneys. But the BBA’s public notice has sparked sharp pushback from senior legal figures and community leaders, who argue these unlicensed advisers fill a critical gap for low-income Barbadians locked out of the formal legal system.

    Leading the criticism is Alair Shepherd, one of the island’s most prominent senior constitutional counsels, who came forward to defend the work of the named McKenzie friends. In a press briefing held Thursday at the Belleville office of the Unity Workers’ Union (UWU), Shepherd argued that the services these practitioners provide are both lawful and desperately needed. “I just thought somebody from the Bar needed to say to the public that they are filling a badly needed void,” Shepherd told reporters. He emphasized that the work of McKenzie friends is not illegal under common law, and that at least one local court has explicitly endorsed their right to assist self-represented litigants, specifically allowing Clarke to speak on a client’s behalf in a past proceeding that ultimately ended in a successful outcome for the litigant.

    The concept of a McKenzie friend traces its roots to the 1970 English Court of Appeal case *McKenzie v McKenzie*, which established that self-represented litigants have a formal right to receive non-lawyer support and guidance during court proceedings. This principle has been widely adopted across Commonwealth common law jurisdictions, including Barbados, though specifics on allowed activities are left to the discretion of individual trial judges. Under the established framework, it is well within a judge’s power to permit a McKenzie friend to address the court directly, a long-standing precedent that the BBA’s notice failed to acknowledge, Shepherd said.

    Shepherd labeled the BBA’s public naming of the three practitioners “unfortunate”, arguing that the publication of their names in a public warning created the misleading implication that their work was inherently unlawful, when it is actually protected by established common law. For his part, Clarke – one of the three named in the notice – said the BBA failed to extend him even the basic courtesy of an opportunity to respond to prior complaints before going public with the warning. He told reporters that after a complaint was filed over his assistance to a self-represented litigant, BBA leaders never reached out to him for comment, instead publishing his name directly in local newspaper notices.

    Clarke, who has long made clear to all clients that he is not a licensed attorney, said the warning has already caused severe harm to his livelihood, with many community members now incorrectly believing he was misrepresenting himself as a lawyer and pulling away from his services. “Quite a few people have reached out to me saying that from reading that they believed that I was purporting to be an attorney and that they shouldn’t take advice from me about anything,” Clarke said. “I am very upset about this and the way it was done because they should have reached out to me.” He added that he intends to bring the matter before the courts, and will continue providing assistance to low-income residents who cannot afford the cost of a licensed attorney.

    The BBA’s move has also drawn criticism from Caswell Franklyn, leader of the Unity Workers’ Union and a former senator, who has himself provided informal legal guidance to community members for years. Franklyn threw his full support behind Clarke and the other named practitioners, noting that systemic gaps in access to justice leave low-income Barbadians with few affordable options for legal support. “The problem is if you are poor and cannot afford a lawyer you suffer in Barbados and as Mr Shepherd said, Winston and others are providing a need,” Franklyn said. “Almost on a weekly basis I have to see people who do not have the wherewithal to go to a lawyer and I have sent them to Winston.” The debate has shone a bright spotlight on longstanding unmet demand for affordable legal assistance across the island, with advocates pushing for clearer formal recognition of the role McKenzie friends play in expanding access to justice.