Shayone Handfield-Gardiner has been appointed Crown Counsel, International in the Attorney General Chambers.
The appointment took place on Monday, July 5, by Attorney General Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles OBE QC. She will be attached to the Civil and Commercial Division of the Attorney General’s Chambers.
Handfield-Gardiner will spearhead the International Division of the Attorney General’s Chambers where she will lead on international initiatives, such as the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and Exchange of information for Tax Purposes, compliance with international obligations and conventions, responding to international requests and advising on various issues which touch and concern international law and international relations.
Handfield-Gardiner, who hails from North Caicos, was admitted to the Bar of Turks and Caicos Islands in 2009, after qualifying as a Solicitor in the United Kingdom in 2008.
She joined the Attorney General’s Chambers in 2010 as a Crown Counsel, working on both Civil and Commercial matters. She has gained experience in matters such as negotiating and drafting commercial agreements, immigration, judicial review, personal injury, confiscation of assets connected with proceeds of crime (Anti-Money laundering), amongst other areas.
Additionally, a huge part of Mrs. Handfield-Gardiner’s duty is providing guidance to Departments and Ministries within TCIG on matters which has legal implications.
The Attorney General’s Chambers describes her as driven and passionate about her tasks, and that her equipment will serve her drive and determination in her new appointment as Senior Crown Counsel.
Prior to this appointment, Mrs. Handfield-Gardiner worked in the International Division from its inception and has been acting in the role since the elevation of Mrs. Khalila Astwood-Tatem to the role of Deputy Attorney General.
In accepting the appointment, Mrs. Handfield-Gardiner said: “I am humbled to be appointed to serve in the capacity of Principal Crown Counsel in the International Division of the Attorney General’s Chambers.
“The International Division will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders to identify legal challenges and take necessary action to remedy weaknesses within the legal framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands to ensure that the Turks and Caicos Islands are fully compliant with its international obligations.”
In announcing the appointment of the new Principal Crown Counsel, International, the Hon. Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles OBE QC commented: “I am extremely proud of Mrs. Handfield-Gardiner. She is a shining star with a brilliant mind and she has a bright future in the legal profession in the Islands.
“We are very fortunate to have her working with us in Chambers and I know that she will make a success of this new role as she has done in her past roles. She has worked hard and shown true dedication to duty across a variety of areas and her family should be very proud of her accomplishments.”
Her Excellency Deputy Governor Anya Williams welcomes the appointment.
“It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Mrs. Shayone Handfield-Gardiner on her appointment to the post of Principal Crown Counsel - International within the Attorney General’s Chambers.
“Shayone joined the Turks and Caicos Government in 2010 as a Crown Counsel within the Attorney General’s Chambers and in 2018 was promoted to the post of Senior Crown Counsel following the completion of her LLM in International Law which was assisted by the Civil Service Professional Development Fund.
“Shayone’s progression in the Attorney General's Chambers and by wider extension the Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service is laudable.
“She is an ardent and dedicated worker and I am certain she will do well in this new role,” the Deputy Governor said.