‘It Means a Lot to Me’: Astaphan Proud as Antigua and Barbuda Honours His Legal Service

Senior Counsel Anthony “Tony” Waddy Astaphan says he feels privileged, proud and deeply appreciative after being awarded the Grand Cross of the Most Illustrious Order of Merit, describing the honour as meaningful recognition of decades of legal service to Antigua and Barbuda and the wider Caribbean.

“I feel very good about the award,” Astaphan said, reflecting on both the recognition and the outpouring of congratulations that followed.

The veteran attorney, whose career spans more than four decades, said the experience was made particularly special by people who approached him at the Independence celebrations on November 1. Some, he recalled, told him they had followed his work or listened to his commentary for years but were meeting him for the first time.

That warmth continued through telephone calls and WhatsApp messages from across the region.

“I feel very good about the public reaction to the award that I got,” he said.

For Astaphan, the significance extends beyond receiving a national decoration. He sees the honour as an acknowledgement of the legal work, precedents and public service that have shaped his professional life.

“It means a lot to me,” he said. “It means that an independent group of people recognize the work that I’ve done.”

He also expressed pride in the support behind his nomination, including a recommendation from Tourism Minister Charles “Max” Fernandez and an endorsement from a former Chief Justice. That recognition from within the legal profession, he indicated, added to his appreciation of the award.

While acknowledging that some might criticise the honour, Astaphan said the breadth of the positive response had been overwhelming.

The award recognises his distinguished and outstanding contribution to regional and national legal service, governance and public legal education.

Born in Dominica, Astaphan is a national of both Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda. He was admitted to the Dominican Bar in November 1983 and subsequently admitted to practise in Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia and Grenada. He became Senior Counsel in May 1999.

His practice has taken him before the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and the Caribbean Court of Justice, handling major constitutional, electoral, administrative and public-law matters.

According to his national honours citation, his contribution to Antigua and Barbuda has been particularly significant over more than three decades. His work has included litigation concerning land in Barbuda, public projects, commercial development, electoral law, constitutional governance, public health and Commissions of Inquiry.

Across the region, he has represented governments, public authorities and senior officials in cases that have helped clarify constitutional principles and develop Caribbean jurisprudence.

His contribution has also extended beyond courtrooms. Through radio and television appearances, Astaphan has explained complex legal and constitutional issues to the public. His citation credits that work with strengthening understanding of citizenship, constitutional governance and civic responsibility.

He has also mentored younger lawyers and served as counsel to Commissions of Inquiry in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and St Lucia.

A former president of the Dominica Bar Association, Astaphan previously received Dominica’s Sisserou Award of Honour for his contribution to public and constitutional law.

Now, Antigua and Barbuda’s recognition carries a personal significance reinforced by the response of those who have followed his career.

“So it means a lot to me that my work has been recognized,” he said.