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Michelle A R Daley

info@legislationmd.com

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Highly motivated and experienced Attorney-at-Law with over 28 years’ experience in Legislative Drafting, Law Revision, Law Reform, Public Law and Constitutional Law. Proven track record in delivering on time, accurate and high-quality legislation. Adept at conducting multi-jurisdictional legal and policy research and analysis towards legislative initiatives. Proficient in advising members of Parliament, senior government officials and high-level stakeholders on law and policy implementation. Possess strong leadership and interpersonal skills. Developed and delivered numerous training programmes and workshops. Supervised and mentored junior legislative drafters. As Vice President of the Commonwealth Association of Legislative Counsel, I have developed an extensive professional network throughout the Commonwealth. Seeking to leverage my expertise and passion to achieve favourable outcomes for my clients.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Consultant Legislative Drafter

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

December 30, 2024 to June, 2025

  • Responsible for the drafting of legislation in support of Criminal Justice Reform Projects in Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Consultant Legislative Drafter

Pan American Development Foundation

September 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025

  • Responsible for the drafting of miscellaneous legislation for the reform of the practice in the Parish Courts of Jamaica and the training of stakeholders in the Legislative Development Process as part of the Pro-Jam III Justice Reform Project.

Tutor – The Public Law Centre, International Legislative Drafting Institute

Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

July 2024

  • Tutored in Legislative Drafting and related topics

Consultant Legislative Drafter – Blue Anguilla (BANG) Project

Ministry of Sustainability, Innovation and the Environment, Anguilla

January 2024 to April, 2025

  • Responsible for the drafting of both primary and subsidiary legislation to have Anguilla meet international Blue Economy standards, in particular Fisheries Protection, Marine Park Protection, Environmental Management and related legislation and develop, manage and facilitate the training of line ministry personnel involved in the legislative process, with particular focus on preparing legislative drafting instructions and navigating the legislative process.

Consultant – Law Revision and Accessibility of Laws Project

Attorney General’s Chambers, British Virgin Islands

November 1, 2022 to Present

  • Manage the Law Revision and Accessibility of Laws Project, with particular responsibility for legislation revision, website development, and preparation of the Annual Consolidated Index.
  • Develop and deliver the in-house Legislative Drafting Training Programme.
  • Conduct legal research, draft legislation, provide advice on legislation and legislation being drafted and provide general legal advice and support to the Attorney General’s Chambers staff.

Consultant Legislative Drafter

Pan American Development Foundation

November 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023

  • Responsible for the drafting of Civil Procedure Rules for the reform of the Parish Courts of Jamaica and other miscellaneous legislation for the practice in the Supreme Court as part of the Pro-Jam II Justice Reform Project.

Consultant – Legislative Drafting Department

Attorney General’s Chambers, British Virgin Islands

December 1, 2021 to August, 2022

  • Responsible for drafting both primary and subsidiary legislation in a variety of areas.
  • Develop, manage, and facilitate the training of line ministry personnel involved in the legislative process, with a particular focus on preparing legislative drafting instructions and navigating the legislative process.
  • Conduct legal research and advise Government Ministries on legislation and legislation being drafted.
  • Provide general legal advice and support to the Attorney General’s Chambers staff.

Associate Director, Legal (Legislation)

Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)

September 2019 to August 2021

  • Responsible for drafting legislation (Laws, Rules, Guidance).
  • Conduct legal research.
  • Provide legal advice and support to the Policy and Strategy Department and other Departments.
  • Prepare or contribute to high-standard papers and materials to the Board of the DFSA and its committees, and participate in meetings of the DFSA legislative committee.
  • Analyse and advise on legislation that may affect the DFSA.
  • Oversee and enhance the quality and consistency of legislation and legal advice, including settling, drafting and advising junior lawyers.

Senior Legislative Counsel

Legislative Drafting Department, Government of the Cayman Islands

November 2015 to August 2019

  • Responsible for drafting both primary and subsidiary legislation in a variety of areas.
  • Conduct legal research.
  • Advise Government ministries, portfolios and departments on legislation and legislation being drafted.
  • Attend the Legislative Assembly when Bills prepared by me are being tabled and debated.
  • Supervise, train and mentor Legislative Counsel and Article Clerks.
  • Responsible for Human Resource functions delegated by the Head of Department.

Chief Parliamentary Counsel

Attorney General’s Chambers, Anguilla

November 2013 to October 2015

  • Head of Legislative Drafting Unit – responsible for the coordination and delivery of the Legislative Agenda.
  • Responsible for drafting both primary and subsidiary legislation in a variety of areas.
  • Conducted legal research and advised Government Ministries on legislation and legislation being drafted.
  • Attended the House of Assembly when Bills are being tabled and debated.
  • Supervised Senior Parliamentary Counsel, Parliamentary Counsel, drafting assistants and support staff.
  • Developed and implemented ongoing training for Counsel in the Legislative Drafting Unit.
  • Responsible for the consolidation of legislation for publication in the Revised Laws of Anguilla, 2014
  • Appointed as Acting Attorney General on numerous occasions during tenure.

Consultant Drafter/Deputy Solicitor General (Legislative Drafting

Commonwealth Secretariat/CFTC Expert/Attorney General’s Ministry, Belize

January 2012 to December 2013

  • Responsible for drafting both primary and subsidiary legislation in a variety of areas.
  • Conducted legal research and advised Government Ministries on legislation and legislation being drafted.
  • Attended the National Assembly when the Bills prepared by me were being tabled and debated.
  • Developed, managed and implemented the project for the ongoing training for Counsel in the Legislative Drafting Unit.
  • Developed, managed and implemented the project for the training of line ministry personnel involved in the legislative process.
  • Developed and prepared legislative drafting manual.
  • Supervised Counsel, drafting assistants and support staff.
  • Responsible for the general management of the Drafting Division.
  • Prepared quarterly reports in relation to the progress of the project.
  • Assisted the Law Revision Commissioner with the consolidation of Laws for the Law Revision Project.
  • Acted as Solicitor General.

Legislative Counsel

Legislative Drafting Department, Government of the Cayman Islands

July, 2006 to December 2011

  • Responsible for drafting both primary and subsidiary legislation in a variety of areas.
  • Conducted legal research.
  • Advised Government ministries, portfolios and departments on legislation and legislation being drafted.
  • Attended the Legislative Assembly when the Bills prepared by me were being tabled and debated.
  • Supervised, trained and mentored Article Clerks/Junior Counsel.
  • Acted as Senior Legislative Counsel.

Senior Legislative Counsel

Law Reform Commission, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

June 2004 to June 2006

  • Reviewed existing legislation for the purposes of modernisation and reform of legislation in the Territory.
  • Conducted research, prepared preliminary recommendations, provided legal advice and opinions in relation to matters under consideration or to be recommended for consideration by the Commission.
  • Prepared Draft legislation for consideration and approval of the Commission.
  • Prepared draft final report in relation to Law Reform Projects for consideration and approval of the Commission
  • Attended and participated in public fora to educate and inform the society at large of the reform process.

Lecturer

Justice Training Institute, Kingston, Jamaica

September 1998 to May 2004

  • Lectured on Constitutional and Administrative Law, as well as Family Law.
  • Conducted guest lectures to the Magistracy and court officers on the Preparation of Legislation and Statutory Interpretation.

Parliamentary Counsel

Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, Kingston, Jamaica

July 1997 to May 2004

Assistant Parliamentary Counsel, July 1997 – November 2002;
Parliamentary Counsel, November 2002 – May 2004

  • Responsible for drafting both primary and subsidiary legislation in a variety of areas.
  • Attended Legislation Committee (sub-committee of the Cabinet) and Joint Select Committees of Parliament in relation to Bills that I have drafted.
  • Conducted legal research.
  • Advised Government ministries and departments on legislation and legislation being drafted.

Tutor

University of the West Indies, Faculty of Law, Cave Hill, Barbados

September 1995 to June 1996

  • Tutored first and second year undergraduate courses in Criminal, Contract, Real Property, Constitutional and Administrative Law.

Tutor

College of Arts Science and Technology, Kingston, Jamaica (now, the University of Technology, Kingston, Jamaica)

June 1994 to August 1995

  • Tutored Business Law to Diploma and Degree students.

Legal Officer

Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Sport, Kingston, Jamaica

August 1994 to August 1995

  • Researched and prepared Cabinet Submissions for proposed legislation.
  • Coordinated litigation efforts in relation to compliance under the National Insurance Act.
  • Advised the Minister and Permanent Secretary on the interpretation and enforcement of legislation.

SHORT TERM CONSULTANCIES (less than 6 Months)

  • Drafting of a bill to provide for the use of cautions – 2025 – Client’s name withheld for reasons of confidentiality.
  • Drafting of a bill to provide for protection of land rights – 2025 – Client’s name withheld for reasons of confidentiality.
  • Drafting of a bill to provide for the regulation of the Electronic Communications sector – 2025 – Client’s name withheld for reasons of confidentiality.
  • Drafting of a bill to provide for the regulation of the Energy and Water sector – 2024 – Client’s name withheld for reasons of confidentiality.
  • Drafting of a bill to amend the Petroleum Operations legislation – 2023 – Client’s name withheld for reasons of confidentiality
  • Drafting of a bill to provide for the regulation of the Digital Asset Business and the accompanying subsidiary legislation – 2023 – Anguilla Financial Services Commission
  • Research and undertake an audit of Anguilla’s financial services legislation and prepare a Comparative Analysis Report – 2018 – Anguilla Financial Services Commission
  • Drafting of a harmonized bill to provide for Anti -Discrimination Legislation – 2010 – PANCAP, CARICOM
  • Drafting of a bill to provide for the establishment of Limited Liability Companies and other Company and Financial Services Legislation – 2015 – Portfolio of Legal Affairs, Government of the Cayman Islands

EDUCATION

  • The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados, LLM. (Legislative Drafting), 1997
  • Norman Manley Law School, Jamaica, Legal Education Certificate, 1997
  • The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados, LLB. (Hons.), 1994

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND CERTIFICATES

  • Tulane University, USA – International Legislative Drafting Institute Certificate – 2023
  • International Compliance Association – Certificate in Financial Crime Compliance – 2021
  • London School of Economics, UK – Certificate in Regulation: Theory, Strategy and Practice, 2020
  • Institute of Leadership and Management, UK – Certificate in First Line Management Leadership, 2017
  • Regional Law Revision Centre, Anguilla – Certificate in Consolidation of Laws, 2014
  • IAEA Nuclear Law Institute, Austria – Certificate in Nuclear Law, 2012
  • London School of Mediation – Accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator, 2011

ADMITTED TO THE BAR

  • Jamaica, October 9, 1997
  • British Virgin Islands, June 7, 2022
  • Barbados, October 21, 2022
  • Belize, March 24, 2025

AWARDS

  • Government of Jamaica Postgraduate Scholarship (Legislative Drafting), 1995 – 1997
  • Portfolio of Legal Affairs, Government of the Cayman Islands, Service Award, 2011

POSITIONS/ASSOCIATIONS

  • Vice President, Commonwealth Association of Legislative Counsel, 2022 – Present.
  • Member, Barbados Bar Association, 2022 to present.
  • Member, BVI Bar Association, 2022 to present.
  • Council Member, (Americas Region Representative) Commonwealth Association of Legislative Counsel, 2017 – 2021.
  • Secretary, Cayman Islands Government Wellness Committee 2016 – 2017; Member, 2019.
  • President, Legal Officers Staff Association, Jamaica, 2002 – 2004.
  • Treasurer, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, Jamaica, 2001 – 2002.
  • Charter member, Vital Voices of Jamaica and Jamaican representative to Vital Voices, Women in Democracy Conference, Uruguay, 1998.
  • Chairperson, St. Ignatius Catholic School Home School Association, Cayman Islands, 2008 – 2010.
  • Member, St. Ignatius Catholic School Board of Governors, Cayman Islands, 2008 – 2011.
  • Secretary, Rotary Club of Belmopan, 2013.
  • Director, Rotary Club of Anguilla, 2014 – 2015; Secretary, Rotary Club of Anguilla, 2015 – 2016.

PUBLICATIONS/PAPERS/PRESENTATIONS

  • Understanding Statutes: A look at the Fingerprints Act of Jamaica – paper presented as part of the PRO-JAM III Criminal Justice Reform Training Seminar, Kingston Jamaica, 2024.
  • Preparation of Drafting Instructions – Workshop presented to Senior staff of the Ministry of Sustainability, Innovation and Environment, Anguilla Government, 2024.
  • Creating an Agency, Board or Commission – Paper presented at the International Legislative Drafting Institute, Public Law Centre, Tulane University, New Orleans, USA, 2024.
  • Working with Members of Parliament – Paper presented at the International Legislative Drafting Institute, Public Law Centre, Tulane University, New Orleans, USA, 2024.
  • Law Revision – The BVI Experience – Paper Presented at the CALC Conference, Trelawny, Jamaica, 2024.
  • The Legislative Process – Paper presented to the members of the 5th House of Assembly, British Virgin Islands, 2023.
  • Preparation of Drafting Instructions – Workshop presented to Permanent Secretaries and senior staff of the British Virgin Islands Government, 2022.
  • Navigating the Waves of Change: A Commonwealth Caribbean Perspective of Change in Small Drafting Offices – Paper presented at the CALC Conference, Livingstone, Zambia, 2019
  • Role of the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Development of Legislative Drafting in the Commonwealth Caribbean – A Worthwhile Investment – Paper presented at the CALC Conference, Cape Town, South Africa, 2013 and published in the – Loophole, Issue No. 2 of 2014.
  • Legislative Drafting Manual; Belize; Ministry of the Attorney General, 2013 (unpublished).
  • Key Legislative Drafting Principles and Provisions – Paper presented at the CARICOM Legislative Drafting Seminar, Bridgetown, Barbados, 2011.