The Commonwealth of The Bahamas proudly hosted the 56th Meeting of the Council of Legal
Education (CLE) from September 4–6, 2025, at the Grand Hyatt, Baha Mar. The three-day
gathering brought together distinguished delegates, principals, registrars, staff representatives,
and committee members from across the region to deliberate on key matters impacting legal
education in the Caribbean.
The event commenced with the 17th Annual Dr. The Hon. Lloyd Barnett Lecture Series at the
Eugene Dupuch Law School on September 4, followed by a special meeting of the CLE
Executive Committee. Over the following two days, delegates engaged in a full agenda of
discussions, including committee reports, financial contributions and audits, updates from the
Guyana Law School Feasibility Subcommittee, and reports from the three regional law schools:
Eugene Dupuch (The Bahamas), Hugh Wooding (Trinidad and Tobago), and Norman Manley
(Jamaica)
During the Opening Ceremony, Senator the Hon. L. Ryan Pinder, K.C., Attorney-General and
Minister of Legal Affairs, officially welcomed the delegates. In his remarks, he emphasized the
importance of unity and relevance in advancing regional legal education:
“These meetings are not about competition between schools or jurisdictions. We must continue to
be focused on the goal of delivering legal education to our collective people that is relevant,
competitive, and applicable in today’s changing legal environment. The students are our focus.”
The Attorney-General further highlighted pressing challenges, including the globalization of
legal practice, the rise of artificial intelligence, and the need for Caribbean-trained lawyers to
compete internationally. He also raised concerns regarding the recognition of regional law

degrees abroad, underscoring the Council’s responsibility to ensure Caribbean legal education is
held in the highest regard.
The schedule of events also included a cocktail reception hosted by the Attorney-General on
September 5, offering an opportunity for delegates to engage informally and strengthen regional
collaboration.
The Council of Legal Education’s 56th Meeting reaffirmed the region’s commitment to
excellence in legal training and to equipping future generations of lawyers with the skills and
recognition necessary to thrive in a globalized profession.

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