Fiona Jennifer Hinds-Lafond, KC, is a preeminent legal authority in Intellectual Property, with over three decades of experience and excellence in that area. She also has noted experience and competence in the areas of Commercial Law, Corporate Governance, Finance and Insolvency, as well as Property Law and Succession Law. Admitted to the Bar of Barbados in 1993 and elevated to Queen’s Counsel in 2018, she has served as an Acting High Court Judge from 2023 to 2024, presiding over civil, commercial, and constitutional matters, thereby solidifying her reputation as a jurist of exceptional acumen.
As a senior partner with the law firm of Carrington & Sealy, she leads the Intellectual Property Department and co-directs the Credit & Securities Division, advising individuals, local, regional and international companies, multinational corporations, financial institutions, and government bodies on financial transactions, regulatory compliance, and cross-border disputes. She also concurrently serves as President of Barbados’ Planning Appeals Tribunal, adjudicating critical land-development disputes with far-reaching economic implications.
A thoughtful leader in legal innovation, Ms. Hinds-Lafond bridges academia and practice as a Lecturer at the University of the West Indies (Cave Hill Campus), shaping the next generation of legal practitioners and future jurists in IP and commercial law. Her expertise is further recognised through appointments to key governmental advisory committees, including those in the area of biodiversity, genetic resources, and intellectual property policy.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS & JUDICIAL SERVICE
Ms. Hinds-Lafond has
• Acted as a Judge, High Court of Barbados from 2023 to 2024
• Adjudicated landmark cases in commercial insolvency, constitutional rights, and family law, delivering precedent-setting judgments.
As President, Planning Appeals Tribunal, she has
- Resolved high-profile land-use conflicts, balancing private development with national sustainability goals.
As Chair, Consumer Claims Tribunal & Advisory Committee on IP Law, she has
- Spearheaded reforms to enhance transparency and efficiency in Barbados’ legal frameworks.
- Adjudicated on matters arising pursuant to the Consumers Guarantees Act
- Drafted Model Legislation
- She led regional initiatives (e.g., CARICOM-wide Business Names Act, Trademark Law harmonization) under the IMPACT Justice Program, funded by Global Affairs Canada.
EXPERTISE & GLOBAL IMPACT
- Commercial & Corporate Law
- Mergers, acquisitions, secured transactions, insolvency
- Intellectual Property & AI Policy
- Patents, trademarks, copyright, data protection, and AI ethics
- Constitutional & Human Rights Litigation
- Judicial Reform & Legislative Drafting
- International Trade & Investment Law
EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIP
LL.M. (Commercial Law, Merit), University College London
LL.B. (Hons), University of the West Indies
Postgraduate Diploma (UK/EC/US Copyright Law), King’s College London
Executive Certifications
Licensing of IP, Franklin Pierce
International Trade Law, UWI
Select Publications & Lectures
“Ai, Patents, and Innovation Incentives” (Keynote, INTA Conference 2024, San Diego)
“Non-Traditional Trademarks in the Caribbean” (Journal of IP Law & Practice)
UN/World Bank Consultations on Caribbean judicial reforms
Ai and IP – moderator UWI CCLW 2025
Ai and IP - presenter UWI CCLW 2024
LEADERSHIP & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
- Past President, Rotary Club of Barbados | Paul Harris Society Member
- President, Bellairs Research Institute (McGill University)
- Nominating Committee, Anthony N. Sabga Awards (Barbados)
- Church Finance Committee | Advocate for ethical governance
PERSONAL
Relatively fluent in French, an avid squash player, and devoted mother of two. Passionate about mentoring young lawyers and advancing gender equity in the judiciary.
Over 150 Years of Trusted Legal Service in Barbados
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