Mr. Leon Charles

Managing Partner

Phone Number 869-465-6869
Email Address info@liburdcharles.com

Mr. Charles holds a Bachelor of Laws degree with honours from the University of West Indies, Cave Hill Campus and a Legal Education Certificate from the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica. Mr. Charles was called to the Bar of St. Kitts and Nevis in 2009.

Mr. Charles has vast experience as an in-house Counsel having worked as Chief Legal Counsel to the Social Security Board from 2009 to 2024. During this period Mr. Charles was the principal advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors, operational manager of the Legal Unit and he conducted litigation (including debt collection) for the Social Security Board at all levels of the Court. He has also successfully represented the Social Security Board at sittings of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal. Based on Mr. Charles’ extensive knowledge of the regulatory environment in which Social Security operates, he also regularly conducted training and seminars to educate the staff of the Social Security Board on Social Security law, Employment/Labour law and Revenue law.
Mr. Charles also has vast transactional experience including the drafting and filing of the documents for the incorporation of the St. Kitts Electricity Co. Ltd (SKELEC); drafting the contract for the Construction Phase of Beacon Heights Development; drafting the contracts for the sale of property at Beacon Heights, Cane Grove Development and Douglas Estate; drafting and preparing contracts and security documentations for loans between Social Security and other entities including the National Housing Corporation; the St. Kitts Air and Sea Ports Authority and the Nevis Island Administration.
Mr. Charles has a wide range of experience in employment and labour related matters having served on several professional organizations including the National Tripartite Committee on International Labour Standards and the National Minimum Wage Advisory Committee. He is also a corporate governance professional and an Accredited Director, a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and a member of the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals. Notably, during the period 2015 to 2017, Mr. Charles served as Corporate Secretary to the Board of Directors of Social Security. Mr. Charles served as a director of the Bank of Nevis Limited from March 2021 to February 2026.

From 2024 up to present Mr. Charles has entered into private practice and is the Managing Partner of the Firm. Mr. Charles is an excellent communicator, a strong advocate and a natural negotiator.

Personal Info

Mr. Leon Charles holds a Bachelor of Laws degree with honours from the University of West Indies, Cave Hill Campus and a Legal Education Certificate from the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica. Mr. Charles was called to the Bar of St. Kitts and Nevis in 2009.

Mr. Charles has extensive experience in public law and also employment, revenue and social security matters having worked as Crown Counsel with the Attorney General’s Chambers for 3 years and with the Social Security Board for 31 years in various capacities before his retirement from the institution in April 2024. For 16 of those 31 years, Mr. Charles served as Chief Legal Counsel to the CEO and Board of Directors, operational manager of the Legal Unit and he conducted litigation for the Board at all levels of the Court and sittings of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal. He also regularly conducted training and seminars to educate the staff of social security on various aspects of the Social Security Act. Notably, during the period 2015 to 2017 Mr. Charles served as Corporate Secretary to the Board of Directors.

Mr. Charles is an accredited Director and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals. He currently serves as a Director of the Bank of Nevis, where he is the Chairman of the Risk and Compliance Committee and he also serves on the Credit Risk Committee, the Human Resources, Compensation and Governance Committee, and previously the Audit Committee.

Mr. Charles has obtained a number of post graduate training and certifications in a variety of disciplines and has served on several professional organizations including the National Tripartite Committee on International Labour Standards, the National Minimum Wage Advisory committee, and the Sugar Worker’s Restoration Fund Committee. He was appointed as a Notary Public in 2015.

In March 2020, Mr. Charles became a founding partner and consultant at Liburd Charles. In May 2024, Mr. Charles entered private practice by joining Liburd Charles full time as its Managing Partner.

Core Competencies

Experience

Oversight of the firm’s operation and business development.
Led the digitization of the firm with the introduction of legal matter management software.
Led the rebranding of the firm via logo and website development.
Manage the firm’s legal matters.

Partner & Consultant

March 2020 to April 2024

NEVHCVAP2024/0004

Anselm Caines v Janette Nisbett-Meloney

The Bank of Nevis Ltd
Member, Board of Directors

Main Street, Charlestown, Nevis
March 2021 to present

St. Kitts and Nevis Social Security Board
Corporate Secretary

Corporate Secretary
May 2015 to April 2017

Provided advice to the Board on a wide range of legal and business matters.
Ensured compliance with the provisions of the Social Security Act (SS Act) and Regulations and other statutes and rules which relate to or affect the Board.
Ensured compliance with the provisions of the Social Security Act (SS Act) and Regulations and other statutes and rules which relate to or affect the Board.
Corresponded with the Directors of the Board on various matters.
Prepared, in consultation with the Chairman, the agenda and the other documents for all the meetings of the Board of Directors.
Issued notices and agendas of Board meetings to every Director of the Board.
Ensured that the legal requirements of Board meetings were fulfilled and provided information on such requirements as was necessary.
Implemented the policies formulated by the Directors.
Prepared, signed and sealed agreements, leases, legal forms and other official documents on the Board’s behalf when authorized by the Board of Directors or the executive responsible.
Drafted and filed resolutions and other various documents as required under the provisions of the Companies Act.
Ensured that the legal requirements of mortgages and charges were complied with.
Maintained the books and registers and other records as required under the provisions of the Companies Act.

Key Achievements:

St. Kitts and Nevis Social Security Board
Chief Legal Counsel

Bay Road, Basseterre
November 2023 to April 2024

Member of Senior Management.
Provided strong leadership and management to the Division
Provided strategic planning and direction for the Departments within the Division
Oversight of operations of all Departments.
Made recommendations to the Director on decisions to be made in relation to Benefits matters.
Managed the Board's compliance with existing statutory and regulatory requirements.
Provided support for the continued development of the staff of the Division, in conjunction with the Human Resources Department,
Interpreted laws and reports and provides advice and guidance to the management team on administrative issues.
Evaluated the existing Human Resource policies and recommend modifications which would allow for the best use of human capital.
Established mutually supportive alliances with employers, professional bodies and government departments which are deemed key players in the sustainability of the Fund.

Key Achievements:

Implemented a recognition system within the Division to motivate staff and increase productivity
Achieved the Self-Employed annual collections target October 2022 and the employer collection target in November 2022 (unprecedented)
Achieved the annual collection target on Nevis for the first time in 8 years.
Implemented strategies to achieve sustained collection levels above the required monthly target.
Enhanced the quality of Compliance Department reports to Senior Management and Board of Directors.
Conducted a full review of all Department policies and procedures to auger efficiencies.
Created synergies between Departments.
Draft MOU being discussed with the Inland Revenue Department

Legal Officer

August 2009 to September 2020

Member of Senior Management.

Attended operational meetings and meetings of Board Committees (Investment Committee, Beacon Heights Committee, Beacon Heights Commercial Development Committee, Compliance Committee, Pension Reform Committee, Information Technology Committee, Arrears Review Committee, Unemployment Benefit Committee, National Health Insurance Committee).

Implemented, organized and developed the Legal Unit of Social Security.
Identified and recommended the engagement of competent staff for the Legal Unit.
Provided appropriate training to staff of Legal Unit.
Conducted negotiations on behalf of the Board and liaises with relevant stakeholders on same.
Assisted with the drafting, revision and implementation of internal governance policies and the Board Governance Charter.
Prepared and conducted presentations and seminars to educate the staff of Social Security on various aspects of the Social Security Act and other laws which may affect the Board.

Key Achievements:

Nominated as an Arbitrator for the CARICOM Reciprocal Agreement on Social Security
Managed the Legal Unit under budget since inception.
Produced a Legal Unit Customer Service Charter for internal and external customers
Increased Employer arrears collections.
Revived and collected many written off receivables in Nevis.
Increased profit margins by reducing legal spending while providing higher quality services.
Reduced costs by ensuring timely completion of contractual and regulatory obligations.
Appointed Chairman of the Arrears Review Committee.
Appointed member of the Unemployment Benefit Committee.
Raised awareness within the organization by educating the general staff and management team on general matters of law.

Notable Cases/Decisions:

Attorney General’s Chambers
Crown Counsel

Govt HQ, Church Street, Basseterre
August 2009 – July 2012

Provided legal advice to the relevant Government Ministries, Agencies and Departments.
Conducted and assisted in the conduct of civil litigation in the Magistrate’s Court, High Court and Court of Appeal.
Advised on Government contracts and commercial transactions and prepared documentation in relation to same.
Represented the Attorney General’s Chambers at meetings and on Committees.

Key Achievements:

Drafted and filed the documents for the incorporation of the St. Kitts Electricity Company Ltd. (SKELEC).
Successfully defended the Labour Department against claims for severance payment brought by voluntarily separated employees of Cable and Wireless.
Assigned to the National Housing Corporation’s mortgage department to reduce backlog in title transfers and eliminated the backlog.
Assigned as Legal Adviser to the Public Service Commission

Notable Cases/Decisions:

Manager, Compliance Department

October to November 2011

Key Achievements:

EDUCATION

H.R.C.C.C., Human Resources & Compensation Committee Certified, CGTI. St. Lucia, 2024
F.G.C.,. Financial Governance Certified, CGTI, St. Lucia, 2023
A.C.C., Audit Committee Certified, CGTI, St. Lucia, 2022
Anti-Money Laundering Oversight for Board Members Certification, CGTI, St. Lucia, 2022
R.C.C., Risk Committee Certified, Caribbean Governance Training Institute (CGTI), St. Lucia, 2021
Acc. Dir., Accredited Director, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, Canada, 2015
LEC, Post Graduate Legal Professional Designation, Norman Manley Law School, Jamaica, 2009
LL.B., Bachelor of Laws, University of the West Indies (U.W.I.), Barbados, 2007
M.B.A., Master’s in Business Administration, U.W.I., Cave Hill, Barbados, 2021 in progress (Year 1 completed)

TRAINING/ CERTIFICATES

Human Resource and Compensation Committee Certification Program, facilitated by the Caribbean Governance Training Institute, St. Lucia, February 2024
Financial Governance Certification Program, facilitated by the Caribbean Governance Training Institute, St. Lucia, November 2023
OECS Bar Association 17th Regional Law Conference, Miami, October 2023
Technical Seminar: Unemployment protection for workers in the Caribbean – Strategies and Key Parameters, facilitated by ISSA, Antigua, April 2023
Audit Committee Certification Program, facilitated by the Caribbean Governance Training Institute, St. Lucia, October 2022
Anti-Money Laundering Oversight for Board Members Certification Program, facilitated by the Caribbean Governance Training Institute, St. Lucia, June 2022
AML/CFT Board of Directors Training for the Bank of Nevis, a Virtual Training facilitated by Compliance Aid AML/CFT/CFP Education, Resources and Advisory Services, May 2022
Virtual Workshop on Legal Aspects of Governance and Asset Management, facilitated by the Reserve and Advisory Management Partnership (RAMP) of the World Bank Treasury, November 2021
Risk Committee Certification Program, facilitated by the Caribbean Governance Training Institute, St. Lucia, October 2021
Key Components of Effective Board Meetings facilitated by Ms. Dawne Williams MBA, Consultant, August 2021
Leadership (Professional Development for Board and Management of the Bank of Nevis) facilitated by Ms. Dawne Williams MBA, Consultant, August 2021
Enterprise Risk Management – Why is it necessary? facilitated by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, August 2021
Corporate Governance, facilitated by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, August 2021
Enterprise Risk Management and Governance, facilitated by the Jamaica Institute of Financial Services, August 2021
Enterprise Corporate Governance Workshop, facilitated by the Jamaica Institute of Financial Services, August 2021
Virtual Workshop on Custody Services focused on Human Capital Development and Asset Management, facilitated by the Reserve and Advisory Management Partnership (RAMP) of the World Bank Treasury, February 2021.
OECS Bar Association 16th Regional Law Conference, Antigua, September 2019
Management Skills Development: Concepts and Tools, online course facilitated by the Inter- American Center for Social Security Studies, Mexico City, Mexico, July 2019
Resiliency in Human Security in the face of Disaster Risk and Climate Change, facilitated by the Inter-American Center for Social Security Studies, the Pan-American Health Organization, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, held at the Inter-American Center for Social Security Studies, Mexico City, Mexico, October 2018
OECS Bar Association 15th Regional Law Conference, St. Kitts, September 2018
OECS Bar Association 14th Regional Law Conference, Dominica, September 2017
Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals 71st National Conference,< San Francisco, California, USA, June 2017
OECS Bar Association 13th Regional Law Conference, St. Lucia, September 2016
Workshop on the CARICOM Agreement on Social Security, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, March 2016
The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) Annual Conference, Excel, London, United Kingdom, March 2016
Director’s Education and Accreditation Program, facilitated by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (Canada) and the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange, St. Kitts, October 2015
Learning and Leadership Development Conference, facilitated by the Human Capital Institute, Chicago, Illinois, USA, September 2015
OECS Bar Association 12th Regional Law Conference, Grenada, September 2015
Pension Trustee Development Program facilitated by the Humber Center for Employee Benefits and the St. Kitts Financial Services Regulatory Commission, St. Kitts, June 2015
Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals 69th National Conference, Chicago, Illinois, USA, June 2015
Trustee Development Program facilitated by the Humber Center for Employee Benefits and the St. Kitts Financial Services Regulatory Commission, St. Kitts, June 2015
Best Practices for Managing and Leading In-House Legal facilitated by Euro-money Legal Training and held in Miami, Florida, December 2014
OECS Bar Association 11th Regional Law Conference, Anguilla, September 2014
Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals 68th National Conference, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, June 2014
OECS Bar Association 10th Regional Law Conference, British Virgin Islands, Sept 2013
How to Make Effective Legislative Proposals, facilitated by Mr. Bilika Simamba LL.B., LL.M. Head of the Legislative Drafting Department of the Government of the Cayman Islands and the Government of St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Kitts, May 2013
OECS Bar Association 9th Regional Law Conference, St. Vincent & the Grenadines Sept 2012
Challenges to a Regulatory Framework – The Extension of the Protection of Social Health II, facilitated by the Inter-American Center for Social Security Studies, the Pan-American Health Organization and the World Health Organization, held at the Inter-American Center for Social Security Studies, Mexico City, Mexico, September 2012
Atlantic Connection 7th Annual Economic and Financial Development Conference, Miami, Florida, USA, July 2012
Regional Workshop on the Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention for Policy Officials of Member States from the Caribbean Community, facilitated by OPCW, CARICOM and the Government of the Bahamas, Nassau, Bahamas, June 2011
Trends in Social Security Law, IAC for Social Security Studies, Mexico City, Mexico, June 2010

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals, NY, USA-Member, June ‘15 -Present
The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) -Member, Nov ‘15- Present
Bar/Bench Subcommittee of the SKN Bar Association - Member 2015- Present
Sugar Workers Restoration Fund Committee - Member March 2015 - 2020
National Minimum Wage Advisory Committee - Member August - September 2014
National Tripartite Committee on International Labour Standards - Member 2013 to Present
Social Security Scholarship Program - Mentor 2013 to Present
OECS Bar Association -Affiliate, 2012 to present
St. Kitts & Nevis Bar Association - Member, 2009 - Present

REFERENCES

Ms. Sephlin Lawrence
Former Director, Social Security Board
Consultant c/o Tee Street, Frigate Bay
St. Kitts
1(647) 707-8534
sephlin@gmail.com

Mr. Dennis Knight
Certified Mediator & HR
Bird Rock, Basseterre
Frigate Bay
St. Kitts
1(869) 662-2820
sephlin@gmail.com