Fifty Years at the Bar: Celebrating Sir Clare K. Roberts’ Distinguished Legal Legacy
October 14, 2025, marks a golden milestone in Antigua and Barbuda’s legal and national history, the 50th anniversary of the call to the Bar of Sir Clare K. Roberts, KCN, KC.
On this date in 1975, Sir Clare was called to the Bar alongside the late His Excellency Conrad Richards, former High Commissioner to Canada.
Over the past five decades, Sir Clare Roberts has become a towering figure in the fields of law, human rights, and public service, admired for his intellect, fairness, and unwavering commitment to justice.
His distinguished career spans leadership in government, the judiciary, private practice, and international human rights institutions.
Sir Clare has held some of the region’s highest legal offices, serving as Attorney General of Antigua and Barbuda, as well as Attorney General of the British Virgin Islands and Montserrat.
Earlier in his career, he was Parliamentary Counsel of Antigua and Barbuda and the nation’s first formally trained Legislative Draftsman, establishing the foundation for modern legislative development in the country.
He has been instrumental in shaping some of Antigua and Barbuda’s most progressive and enduring legislation, including:
- The Status of Children Act, which eliminated the distinction between children born in and out of wedlock;
- The Companies Act of 1995, which modernized the corporate and commercial framework of the nation;
- The original Merchant Shipping Act, strengthening Antigua and Barbuda’s maritime administration; and
- His current work on a modern Mental Health Bill, a transformative piece of legislation designed to ensure dignity, care, and protection for those facing mental health challenges.
On May 1st, 1986, Sir Clare founded Roberts & Co., Attorneys-at-Law, which has grown to become one of the leading law firms in Antigua and the wider Caribbean region.
The firm remains a proud family legacy, now led by his daughter C. Kamilah Roberts, with Andrea Roberts Nicholas (his niece) and Safiya Roberts (his daughter) as partners, continuing the firm’s tradition of legal excellence and service.
Sir Clare’s impact extends far beyond the Caribbean. For eight years, he served as a Commissioner of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) of the Organization of American States (OAS), including a term as President of the Commission.
He was the first Rapporteur for Afro-descendants and Against Racism and Racial Discrimination, and also served as Rapporteur for Brazil and Haiti, advancing the causes of equality, democracy, and human dignity across the Americas.
He also served with distinction as a High Court Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, presiding in Anguilla, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Nevis, and Grenada, where his judgments were known for their fairness, clarity, and firm grounding in principle.
In 2006, during Antigua and Barbuda’s 25th Anniversary of Independence, Sir Clare was awarded a Knighthood (KCN) for his outstanding contribution to law, human rights, and youth development. In 2007, he was called to the Inner Bar as Queen’s Counsel, recognizing his leadership and excellence in advocacy and jurisprudence.
Sir Clare attributes much of his success to the love and steadfast support of his dear wife, Lady Alice Roberts (née Beamish), who worked alongside him for 45 of his 50 years in law.
Her partnership and dedication, both personally and professionally, have been a constant source of strength and inspiration throughout his illustrious career.
As Antigua and Barbuda celebrates this Golden Jubilee of Sir Clare K. Roberts’ call to the Bar, the legal fraternity, the nation, and the region salute a jurist, reformer, and statesman whose life’s work has shaped laws, protected rights, and inspired generations.
Congratulations to Sir Clare K. Roberts, KCN, QC — fifty years of distinguished service to Antigua and Barbuda, the Caribbean, and the world.
Sir Clare K. Roberts, KCN, KC — Celebrating 50 years at the Bar, October 14, 2025.
SIDEBAR: Milestones in a Distinguished Career
PHOTOS WITH CAPTIONS for photo essay:
1. Sir Clare Roberts called to Bar in 1975
2. Sir Clare Roberts and His Excellency Conrad Richards (deceased) at the their Joint Call to the Bar where they were hailed as the Roberts and Richards of law flatteringly drawing parallels to cricketing greats Sir Viviain Richards and Sir Andy Roberts
3. Sir Clare Roberts at the orginal Roberts & Co Office then and
4. Roberts & Co Office now on Nevis Street, St. John’s Antigua
5. Sir Clare and and his wife Lady Roberts (nee Beemish)
6. The Roberts & Team – Daughter and Partner Safiya, wife Lady Roberts, daughter and now Managing Partner Kamilah, niece and Partner Andrea and Founder Sir Clare Roberts
7. Managing Partner, C Kamilah Roberts
8. Sir Clare Roberts – Speaker at the 55th Anniversary Celebration of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, February 27, 2022
