KINGSTON, Jamaica – Christopher Malcolm will officially take the helm as principal of the Norman Manley Law School on September 1, and he already has a strategic roadmap in mind.

Upon assuming office, Malcolm intends to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the law school’s operations.

“My immediate priority is to find out what the current status of the law school is at all levels, including student and staff activities, how the law school has been performing by reference to what end users require, and about operational or other issues that might require corrective adjustments,” he said.

This initial evaluation will guide a collaborative priority-setting exercise involving faculty and key stakeholders. One of his major goals is preparing students for a borderless legal world.

Malcolm believes legal education must be globally responsive, with graduates equipped to navigate diverse, interconnected legal systems. He aims to modernise legal training through expanded experiential learning and continuous quality assurance.

He also emphasised the need to strengthen partnerships between the Norman Manley Law School, regional bodies, international organisations, and especially The Faculty of Law at The University of the West Indies (UWI).

“What we must have, if the model is to work well, is an appropriately geared stages of development approach,” Malcolm noted. He highlighted the importance of ongoing dialogue and targeted retreats to support seamless transitions and coordinated legal training between institutions.

While cautious about promising specific changes early on, Malcolm said his focus would be on identifying gaps and listening to expert voices inside and outside the institution before initiating any reforms. He expects to share clearer strategies after his first few months in the role.

Malcolm is a distinguished academic, practitioner, and public sector leader with nearly 30 years of post-qualification experience. He has worked extensively in legal education, public administration, and dispute resolution. His appointment has been welcomed across the legal and academic communities.

Professor Densil A Williams, principal of The UWI Mona Campus and pro vice-chancellor, said:”I congratulate Dr Malcolm on his elevation to the principalship of the Norman Manley Law School. I am sure that with his vast experience in the legal fraternity, both locally and regionally, he will bring solid leadership to the institution.”

Professor Shazeeda Ali, dean of the Faculty of Law, UWI Mona, also extended congratulations:

“With Dr Malcolm’s appointment as principal of the Norman Manley Law School, we look forward to continued collaboration and cooperation in our joint efforts to provide excellence in legal education and our mutual commitment to producing outstanding legal professionals and scholars for the region.”

Malcolm has previously served as senior lecturer and interim dean at UWI’s Faculty of Law, where he played key roles in curriculum development, faculty mentorship, and international collaboration. Beyond academia, his leadership roles have included Attorney General of the British Virgin Islands, Head of the Legal Unit at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), and Senior Legal Advisor to Jamaica’s Minister of Justice.

As vice-president of the Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution (AIADR) and a member of multiple governance boards, he brings strong credentials in strategic management, financial oversight, and institutional governance. These skills are expected to support the school’s fiscal sustainability.

On his legacy at UWI, Malcolm said:

“The legacy I wish to have ascribed to me should be determined by others and not by me.” He added that the Norman Manley Law School and UWI’s Faculty of Law are part of a continuous legal education journey, with his ultimate aim being an “ongoing process of dialogue and corrective adjustments to produce the best possible legal professionals.”

Quoting Frank Sinatra, Malcolm joked that any regrets were “too few to mention,” choosing instead to focus on what lies ahead. He is committed to speaking frankly and giving his best, in the hope of building a supportive and collaborative environment.

Malcolm’s legal work spans the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. A renowned expert in arbitration, ADR, and financial law, his research has focused on banking, regional integration, and trade law. He believes legal education must continuously adapt to global changes—including AI, trade shifts, and cross-border legal practice—which he views as central to his upcoming tenure at the law school.