W. John Vassell, K.C.

Consultant

John Vassell has wide experience and expertise in all areas of Civil Litigation with a specialist practice in commercial litigation, including insolvency, banking, insurance, defamation admiralty, mining, intellectual property, litigation, trusts and administrative law.

John has appeared in complex and multifaceted litigation matters before the Supreme Court of Judicature of Jamaica, the Court of Appeal of Jamaica and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the United Kingdom. He has been successful in a number of high profile cases, some of which have received landmark decisions.

He also appears before Statutory Appeals Tribunals on appeals from decisions of public bodies; as well as appearing before international tribunals; he argues in various Arbitration Proceedings as well as in appeals to the Supreme Court from Arbitration Awards. He has appeared before our local Courts in Election Petition matters; as well as represented regulatory authorities in tribunal matters.

John is experienced in conducting complex fraud litigation involving international organizations. He also advises and prepares opinions for major Jamaican and international financial and manufacturing institutions, media houses, insurers, statutory bodies and hoteliers

John Vassell is a Consultant in our firm’s Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Department. John attained the rank of King’s Counsel in 1998. He has repeatedly been listed in Chambers and Partners Global as one of the world’s leading lawyers.

John was the Chairman of the Justice Reform Committee (2008-2009), a member of the Government of Jamaica Sugar Industry Divestment Committee (2008) and the Defamation Law Reform Committee (2008). He was an Associate Tutor at the Norman Manley Law School from 1982-2003.

John Vassell KC is a “brilliant” litigator, intensely respected across the industry for his prowess as an advocate. He has appeared before the Supreme Court of Jamaica, the Court of Appeal and the UK Privy Council in a range of contentious issues, and his specialisations include mining law, trusts, defamation and intellectual property. He is currently a consultant to the firm. – Chambers Global 2020