Sir David Anthony Carthcart Simmons
Sir David Anthony Carthcart Simmons assumed office as the 12th Chief Justice of Barbados on 1 January 2002.
Sir David entered the Faculty of Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1960 and graduated with the LL.B. degree in 1963. After additional reading he was awarded the LL.M. degree in 1965. He is a Barrister-at-Law of Lincoln’s Inn.
Sir David lectured in law in London until his return to Barbados in 1970. Between 1970 and 1974, he was a part-time lecturer in law at the Faculty of Law of the University of the West Indies.
Sir David has had an outstanding career as a lawyer in Barbados and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1984. He served continuously for 25 years in the Parliament of Barbados from February 1970 to 27 August 2001, on which date he retired from active politics.
Twice he served as Attorney-General of Barbados; first, from 1985 to 1986, and, more recently, from September 1994 to August 2001. On many occasions during the latter period, Sir David acted as Prime Minister of Barbados.
As Attorney-General, Sir David chaired many initiatives and conferences, including the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (1997/98); the Joint US/Caribbean Sub-Committee which developed a Plan of Action on Justice and Security issues; the Regional Committee for the establishment of a project for Maritime Cooperation Against the Traffic In Illicit Narcotic Drugs in the Caribbean (1999-2002); and the Preparatory Committee to establish the Caribbean Court of Justice (1999-2001).
For his contribution to public service and politics, he was awarded both the Barbados Centennial Honour (B.C.H.) and the Knight of St. Andrew (K.A.) in 2001.
Sir David Simmons is married to former High Court Judge, Madame Justice Marie MacCormack. They have two children, Gavin and Lynne-Marie.