Legal work
 

Hi, I'm thinking of moving to Bim from London later this year - so am looking into finding employment.
I have citizenship by descent so do not require a work permit. I have a law degree and several years experience working in law firms. I've seen some previous posts about seeking employment but I'm specifically interested in legal work. The Nation online only has the classifieds for job opportunities, it's not the same as the paper version. And the job websites are not very helpful. I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction. Where do Bajans look when they're seeking employment? Are there specific recruitment agencies, or would I be better writing to law firms direct?
Any help/guidance will be greatly appreciated :).
Thanks.

Re: Legal work
 

I would say that because you field is fairly specific, I would start with the law firms in Barbados and write to them directly. While they may not have positions open at the moment, one can never tell. If you are looking for work in the law field but with a company (like a larger business in Barbados that may have onstaff legal people, that might be more difficult). Don't rely on the newspapers to give these types of jobs, although they may be there from time to time, better to go direct.

Re: Legal work
 

You may find that you are entering an already saturated work field as I know that they have many graduates in those fields already. Have you considered starting your own practice - expats could really do with someone who specialises in the issues experienced by expats but with bajan knowledge. I have found that although my lawyer was keen and very eithical she lacked a proactive understanding of the issues i needed her help on and learned alongside me on the job.

Im am always warned when using an attorney or lawyer by many people both locals and expats siting experiences with laywers ripping them off - my landlords lawyer actually tried to lodge the deeds to his inherited property in his own name and my landlord had to actually pay to get anotehr lawyer to defend that action!!! I dont think barbados has a law ombudsman.

Immigration law is definitley an area that Expats need very focussed and concentrated help on as it seems that the individual rights are often compromised and there seems to be no one who stands up for it when it happens.

Re: Legal work
 

From my understanding you can only practise as an attorney in Barbados if you have completed a 2yr or 6 month conversion course in one of the neighbouring islands of Trinidad or Jamaica. It all depends on whether you have completed Law School and qualified as a solicitor in the UK. Not sure what Soca Girl wants to do but you could go onto the British High Commission's website for a list of local lawyers in Barbados or to the online yellow pages which also may be of help. The British High Commission's website address for lawyers in Barbados is http://ukinbarbados.fco.gov.uk/conte...rticle/lawyers

- hope this is of help to you.

Re: Legal work
 

Hi there

I was living in Barbados from October last year until very recently and found it difficult to get a job as a legal secretary. I also have Barbadian citizenship. The best thing to do in your case is just email or phone around the law firms but don't be surprised if you don't get any replies to your emails for some time if at all. You could also try the off-shore companies and big firms of accountants as sometimes they are looking for in-house legal staff.

Hope this helps.

Trees

Re: Legal work
 

Thank you all for your replies. It has given me plenty to think about. Sorry for my tardiness in replying!!
I will definitely send soem speculative applications to the firms direct rather than relying on the papers. I will be in the island later in the year so will make some enquiries then as well.

Re: Legal work
 

Hi

A friend of mine runs a recruitment company here - specialising in many areas of employment - you can send your cv to her at <snip>