As the Caribbean region struggles to find its own space in the world of virtual business transactions, the issues of transparency, efficiency and dispute resolution have become major difficulties in the development of international business relations and the growth of the region as a whole. The example of South East Asia where significant effort has been dedicated to the development of technological and other resources, and where in the aftermath of war and disaster astounding progress has been observed, ought to provide a catalyst to the notion that the region can yet accomplish significant development if the necessary attention is given to the critical areas with the intention of resolving these problems.

The Guyana Low Carbon development strategy has been hailed as an innovative mechanism by which developing countries might maintain their forest resources for the mitigation of the global environmental degradation whilst being compensated for their trouble by developed countries. While the plan seems simple enough and the regulation of this model has been impressively written up and presented as viable. There has not been significant investigation or consideration of the legal regulation of this model with the intention of creating an holistic legal structure which accounts for the domestic and the international legal principles and regimen which will affect it. There is little understanding of the concept of traditional knowledge and Intellectual property, the interplay of the law of international trade and private international law, the domestic law requirements for the internal regulation of the scheme and the rules of global environmental law which will be applicable to the entire project.

An issue brief presented at the CARIBBEAN AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE WEEK June 2011 Washington DC.

Across the world, the Caribbean is renowned for its unique flavors in music and entertainment, its beaches, cricket, and its commonly acclaimed fun and sun. While these are well-deserved, and are sources of just pride, this common perception provides foliage which bars the examination and explanation of the real problems and needs in intellectual property in the Caribbean, and in fact gives the impression in the developed world, that the region enjoys a laid back, carefree lifestyle based in part on a parasitic relationship with the developed world from which it has no intention of diverting.

There are few Caribbean legal writers who may lay claim to as diverse and interesting a career in the law as Justice Donald Trotman; Judge, Attorney, writer, poet, human rights activist and internationalist. Through his book ‘Waiting for Justice ‘ the reader is allowed a privileged walk with the author along a path which branches from the personal experiences of intimate acquaintances with colourful legal characters , to narratives on Human rights and International law. There is a range from localized Guyanese to International experiences and some focus on exceptional Caribbean events such as the 1983 Grenada crisis and the Cuban refugee crisis. The book is a collection of essays which explore the diverse and intricate interconnection of human rights, law, history and politics ranging from the years 1970-2008 and is a unique combination of insight, wit and acquired wisdom which progresses with the development of the book and the author.