Adam is developing significant expertise in matters originating from the Commonwealth Caribbean and in appellate work before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. His interest and experience in this area of practice encompasses constitutional law, human rights, judicial review, election law, commercial law, general common law and criminal appeals.
Recent notable work includes:
- Suraj and others v Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago [2022] UKPC 26: Led by Peter Knox Q.C. in this appeal concerning the constitutionality of the Coronavirus Regulations 2020 and the scope of the legislative savings provisions contained in the Constitution.
- Satyanand Maharaj v Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago [2022] UKPC 26: Led in a constitutional challenge to guidelines issued pursuant to local Covid-19 regulations purporting to institute criminal offences regulating the functioning of religious establishments.
- Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago v Akili Charles No. 2: Led by Peter Carter Q.C. in the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council challenging the constitutionality of the Bail Act which provides for the automatic denial of bail to persons charged with murder in June 2022; currently awaiting judgment.
- Takeisha Clairmont v (1) The Minister of Health and (2) The Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago C.V. 2020-0385: Assisting local Senior Counsel in a constitutional challenge to the Covid-19 regulations closing the border to citizens, which involved consideration of a range of domestic and international human rights instruments before the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago;
Adam has additionally assisted in government work responding to constitutional challenges in the commonwealth Caribbean before the Privy Council. Notable highlights include:
- Betaudier (Appellant) v Attornery General of Trinidad and Tobago (Respondent) (Trinidad and Tobago) [2021] UKPC 7: assisting Tom Poole Q.C. for the Respondent concerning the lawfulness of the appellant’s arrest and detention (as a pupil).
- Duncan and Jokhan (Appellants) v Attorngey General of Trinidad and Tobago (Respondent) (Trinidad and Tobago) [2021] UKPC 17: assisting Tom Poole Q.C. for the Respondent concerning whether there was a violation of the appellants’ rights under section 4(a) of the Constitution not to be deprived of liberty and security of the person except by due process of law (as a pupil).
Adam has a particular interest in legal developments in the Commonwealth Caribbean. As a pupil he co-wrote a speech which was delivered by Malcolm Bishop Q.C. at the 2021 Commonwealth Law Conference in Nassau, in the Bahamas, exploring the relationship between equality rights and rights to religious freedom.
