– Jamaican elected first Caribbean President of CALC; Barbadian becomes first from country to join governing council

THE Caribbean has achieved a historic milestone in the field of legislative drafting, with Jamaican Attorney-at-law and legislative drafter Michelle Daley elected as the first Caribbean national to serve as President of the Commonwealth Association of Legislative Counsel (CALC), while Barbadian legislative drafter Shaquille Newton has become the first Barbadian elected to the organisation’s governing council.
The elections took place during CALC’s Full Conference and General Meeting, held at the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore from July 15 to 17, 2026, marking what regional legal professionals are describing as a significant moment for the Caribbean’s legislative drafting community.
CALC, which has operated for 42 years, is the professional association for legislative counsel and legislative drafters throughout the Commonwealth. The organisation promotes cooperation among drafters, encourages high standards in legislative drafting, supports professional development and mentorship, and seeks to improve the quality and accessibility of legislation across member jurisdictions.
Daley, widely regarded as one of the Caribbean’s leading legislative drafters, has served in senior legislative drafting roles in several countries across the region. In her inaugural address as President, she called for institutional reform and greater member engagement, arguing that the organisation must adapt to meet the demands of a changing global environment.
“As CALC approaches its 45th anniversary, it can no longer be business as usual,” Daley told delegates, urging members to revisit the association’s constitution and operational framework to ensure it remains relevant and effective.
She also highlighted the importance of diversity and inclusion within the organisation, reflecting on her own experience of joining CALC some three decades ago and feeling disconnected from the association at the time. Daley credited the introduction of regional representatives in 2009 with broadening participation and expanding the Council from four members to its current complement of 15.
“There is a richness in the diversity of ideas and perspectives that can be found in the CALC family,” she said, encouraging members to contribute actively through committees and other initiatives.
Meanwhile, Newton’s election as Americas Representative has also been hailed as a breakthrough for Barbados and the wider Caribbean. His candidacy received strong regional backing, having been nominated by Daley and seconded by Ryan Awai, Assistant Chief Parliamentary Counsel of Trinidad and Tobago.
Throughout his campaign, Newton advocated for stronger collaboration among legislative drafters across the Americas, greater mentorship opportunities and enhanced support for emerging professionals in the field.
During the conference, he delivered a presentation examining drafting styles in Barbados, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, showcasing comparative approaches to legislative drafting.
Newton currently serves as a Senior Legal Adviser within the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Prior to that role, he spent five years as Parliamentary Counsel in the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel within Barbados’ Attorney General’s Chambers.
A 2021 Chevening Scholar, Newton holds a Master of Laws degree with Distinction in Drafting Legislation, Regulation and Policy from the University of London, along with several other postgraduate legal qualifications.
He is also a prolific contributor to legislative drafting scholarship, with research published in respected journals, including The Loophole, CALC’s official journal, and the European Journal of Law Reform.
The dual elections are being viewed as a landmark achievement for the Caribbean, reflecting the region’s growing influence in legislative drafting, legal reform and governance across the Commonwealth. Legal observers say the appointments underscore the increasing recognition of Caribbean expertise in shaping modern legislative frameworks and advancing professional standards within the international legal community.