Lewis St. John
Lewis St. John is an Attorney representing both international and domestic clients before the Magistrates’ Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal, in addition to his litigation practice.
Mr. St. John acts in a wide range of dispute resolution matters, particularly involving: property litigation; contentious probate & trust litigation; employment disputes; construction litigation; commercial landlord & tenant issues; insurance disputes; debt enforcement; and corporate & commercial litigation.
His litigation portfolio has included issues such as: shareholder oppression; bankruptcy petitions; immunity of international organizations; asset tracing & civil fraud; trustee discretion challenges; unfair dismissal; and construction and contractual disputes.
He is admitted to practice in England and Wales, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Education
University of the West Indies, Bs.c (Hons).
BPP Law School, LL.B (Hons)
City Law School, B.P.T.C.
Hugh Wooding law School, L.E.C.
Bar Admissions:
Barbados
Trinidad and Tobago.
Ongoing or Recent Engagements:
Confidential client
Lead counsel for corporate trustee in proceedings brought by a beneficiary to set aside the exercise of discretion by the trustee.
Confidential client
Co-counsel for claimant financial institution in proceedings under the Companies Act seeking various anti-dilutive remedies against Barbados-domiciled company and its directors.
Confidential client
Lead counsel for several defendant directors of a captive insurance company. The directors were being pursued by a creditor of the company seeking recovery of CAD 7 million in total compensation.
Confidential client
Legal representative for third-party bank in ongoing proceedings arising from cross-border tracing efforts related to the multi-million-dollar recovery of funds associated with a fraud claim.
Select Decisions:
Commissioner of Police v Amicorp Bank and Trust
Commissioner of Police v Amicorp Bank and Trust (Unreported) CV 628 of 2019. Lead advocate for bank in proceedings brought under the proceeds of crime framework by local law enforcement to support the efforts of Malaysian prosecutors to trace assets. The decision saw the successful overturning of a freezing order obtained in breach of the POCA statutory framework.
In the Matter of the Bankruptcy of Lindsay Cumberbatch
In the Matter of the Bankruptcy of Lindsay Cumberbatch (Unreported) CV 587 of 2016 (Written decision delivered on December 12, 2018). Lead advocate for the trustee in bankruptcy in insolvency proceedings brought as part of a cross-border effort to enforce court awards made in the United Kingdom against assets held by a bankrupt in Barbados. Successfully resisted a strike-out application by the bankrupt. The decision clarified the law on the applicability of the Foreign and Commonwealth Enforcement Act on enforcement of bankruptcy orders by foreign trustees in Barbados.
Battaleys v Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander
Battaleys v Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander [2015] CCJ 3 (AJ). Successfully resisted a special leave application made to the Caribbean Court of Justice, the apex court for Barbados. Acted for UK-based mortgagee and the receiver.
In the matter of Whitehorn Investments Ltd.
In the matter of Whitehorn Investments Ltd CA 31 of 2014. Acted for a court-appointed liquidator in Court of Appeal and High Court proceedings that resulted in successfully staying execution of a decision by the High Court to grant injunctive relief. The liquidator’s role was to assist in the tracing and recovery of assets in Barbados purchased with illicit funds resulting from a fraudulent insurance scheme in the United States.
Marks & Toppin v J.G.L. Hotels Limited & Anor
Marks & Toppin v J.G.L. Hotels Limited & Anor (Unreported) CV 22 of 2015. Instructing counsel in a successful application by a receiver-manager for injunctive relief against the director of a company in receivership.
Battaleys v Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander
Battaleys v Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander [2015] CCJ 3 (AJ). Successfully resisted a special leave application made to the Caribbean Court of Justice, the apex court for Barbados. Acted for UK-based mortgagee and the receiver.
Sigma v Birch
et al
Sigma v Birch et al 95 WIR 166 - Reported decision from the Barbados Court of Appeal. Instructing counsel for successful respondent in landmark decision clarifying the Barbados approach to applications for leave to appeal out of time. Appeal arose in the context of an underlying matter related to high-value security enforcement.
Went & Ors v Cable & Wireless (Barbados) Ltd.
Went & Ors v Cable & Wireless (Barbados) Ltd and Ors 91 WIR 86. Reported decision from the jurisdiction on injunctive relief in oppression proceedings pursuant to the Companies Act framework involving a major telecommunications player.
Robinson v First Citizens Bank
Robinson v First Citizens Bank (Unreported) Civil Appeal No 15 of 2016.Co-counsel in Court of Appeal proceeding to successfully declare an appeal incompetent. Decision clarified the law on the nature of summary proceedings in Barbados and arose in the context of security enforcement proceedings.