Dominican lawyer Clement Joseph will on Monday, May 19, 2025, be sworn in as the new Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of Antigua and Barbuda.
Joseph has had a very distinguished career over the last 15 years since he graduated from the Hugh Wooding Law School and was called to the Bar in Dominica. He worked with DPP the late Gene Pestina, whom he has credited over the years for his development in the legal field.
He worked at the DPP’s office for approximately 2 and a half years before migrating to the Turks and Caicos Islands as a Prosecutor at the DPP’s office there. He quickly rose from Public Prosecutor to Senior prosecutor and acted as DPP on several occasions.
He then left Turks and Caicos for Barbados, where he worked as a Senior Financial Crimes Legal officer serving the English-speaking Caribbean conducting training in Anti-Money Laundering and other financial Crimes for approximately 3 and a half years.
Joseph then left and returned to the DPP’s office in Turks as the Principal Public Prosecutor before being appointed as the DPP of Antigua and Barbuda.
He is a well-learned individual, and his education achievements include:
– A Bachelor of Arts from Trenton State University, New Jersey USA
– A Bachelor of Law (LLB) from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados
– Master of Law (LLM) from Florida Coastal School of Law in American Comparative Law, Florida, USA
– Master of Law (LLM) in Public/Administrative Law from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados.
He has been a course facilitator in Drug Prosecution for participants from the Regional Security Systems (RSS) Countries over the last nine years and has done numerous lectures to audiences in the region and abroad. He is a former Lecturer at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus in the Paralegal Program.
He is also a former police officer in Dominica as well as a veteran of the United States Army.
When contacted, Joseph remarked that “I am excited for the new challenge and will give it my best efforts.” He thanked all those who have assisted in his development over the last fifteen years, such as the late Gene Pestaina, attorney at law Wayne Norde, and his classmates who have remained “steadfast friends to this date.”
“I also want to credit former friends and colleagues from the Turks and Caicos, to include the Chief Magistrate, as well as Magistrate Selver, for believing in me,” he said.
Minister of Justice Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin, a few weeks ago, revealed that an appointment has been made and confirmed for the post of DPP. However, he chose not to reveal the identity or nationality of the individual.
“I am pleased to inform the nation that a new Director of Public Prosecutions has been appointed and will be coming to Antigua to start work in May of this year,”.
“This gentleman is vastly experienced, knowledgeable, skilled in all areas of criminal law and has extensive experience in prosecuting, not only in the Caribbean but also around Canada and other areas of the world,” Sir Steadroy said.
He continued, “We believe that we have at last found somebody who will restore the office to what it is supposed to be, and we will have a perfect Director of Public Prosecutions. I’ll make the announcement formally when he starts, and give the public more information as to the individual who will be filling that position.”
The government commenced the search for a new DPP following the departure of Anthony Armstrong, who is facing criminal charges for professional misconduct in Jamaica.
Shannon Jones-Gittens has been acting in the position since Armstrong’s departure in 2023.
Congratulations🎊