Empathetic Advocate

Dr. Dawn De Coteau
International Barrister & Attorney | Arbitrator | Mediator | Legal Consultant

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Dr. Dawn De Coteau is an accomplished international legal practitioner, qualified and practicing in England & Wales and several Caribbean jurisdictions. She is a Barrister and Attorney-at-Law and qualified Dispute Resolution lawyer. She is called to the Bars of England & Wales, Grenada, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and St. Christopher & Nevis. She holds Fellowships with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (FCILEX).

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Dawn is the current Co-Vice President of the CIArb Caribbean Branch, and a proud member of CIArb, the London Court of International Arbitration, and other arbitration institutions and dispute resolution bodies. She is available for appointment as a mediator and negotiator, and an independent arbitrator or panel member. She brings a firm command of UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, LCIA, ICC, CIArb, and other major institutional rules and codes.

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With vast experience in arbitration, mediation, and negotiation, Dawn has successfully handled a range of complex, high-value commercial disputes. She has served as arbitrator and mediator in both institutional and ad hoc proceedings across multiple Caribbean jurisdictions and in England & Wales. Her practical, culturally competent approach to dispute resolution and her deep understanding of regional and international commercial dynamics make her a valued neutral in cross-border disputes.

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She is a frequent speaker at arbitration and dispute resolution conferences, advocating for the growth and modernization of arbitration across the Caribbean. Her passion lies in strengthening institutional capacity, training the next generation of Caribbean dispute resolution professionals, and promoting the Caribbean as a competitive and credible arbitration hub.

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Dawn serves as Principal of EMA Solutions Legal Services & Consultancy and is a Consultant Lawyer with Setfords Solicitors in the UK. Her broad cross-jurisdictional practice covers:
Dispute Resolution (Arbitration, Mediation, Negotiation), Commercial & Corporate, Maritime, Probate & Estates, Trusts, Family, Civil Litigation, Immigration & Citizenship, Banking, Governance & Compliance, Sports, Conveyancing, and Special Economic Zones (SEZ).

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Dawn holds an impressive academic profile: BPTC, LLM (Distinction), LLB (Hons), BA (Hons), with additional certifications in Coaching & Mentoring (CIM), PRINCE II Project Management, and dispute resolution training through ADR Group and CIArb. She earned a Doctoral Award for her thesis "Corruption in Caribbean Politics – Examining Cultural Tolerance" and has contributed to various publications, including for the Commonwealth Secretariat.