Janelle John-Bates, LLB(Hons.), PGDip, LEC, LLM(Dist.)

Janelle M. John-Bates is a barrister and Attorney-at-law with over thirteen(13) years of experience providing legal services to government and inter-governmental organisations in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and overseas. She has represented the State and private litigants in over one hundred and fifty(150) civil, criminal and family cases as both an advocate and instructing attorney.

After winning an Open Trinidad and Tobago National Scholarship, Janelle read for her undergraduate law degree in the United Kingdom. Thereafter, she was called to the bar of England and Wales and Trinidad and Tobago in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

Janelle returned to Trinidad where she commenced her legal career at the Ministry of Public Administration. Subsequently, she joined the Ministry of the Attorney General where she gained further experience in civil law at the Chief State Solicitor’s Department and criminal law at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Janelle also spent two years with the United Nations serving as a seconded Judicial Affairs Officer in the United Nations and African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur, Sudan.

Immediately prior to opening JohnBates Law, Janelle held the post of Assistant Registrar and Deputy Marshal in the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago. In this role she mainly had oversight of the Family Court Registry. 

In addition to her considerable practical experience, Janelle has attained a Master of Laws (Corporate and Commercial) with Distinction from the University of the West Indies. She is also a trained mediator.

CPD Category: Law & Regulations

CPD Points: 2