Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) Deputy General Secretary and Senator Chester Hughes has graduated from Arden University in the United Kingdom with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons), earning an Upper Second-Class Honours degree.

The union announced Hughes’ graduation this week, describing it as another milestone in his academic and professional development.

Hughes previously said he pursued the law degree to strengthen his ability to represent workers as industrial relations become increasingly complex.

“This degree is intended to elevate my capacity as a trade unionist in Antigua and Barbuda, particularly as the landscape of industrial relations evolves. With an increasing number of lawyers representing companies in labor matters, unions must adapt to these changing times to effectively advocate for their members,” he said.

He completed the programme while working full-time at the ABWU, balancing his duties with early morning classes and late-night study sessions. Because the programme focused on the United Kingdom’s legal system, Hughes said he devoted significant time to research to master the curriculum.

Hughes has said he plans to travel to the United Kingdom to complete bar training before returning to the Caribbean to undertake the conversion process required for admission to the bar in Antigua and Barbuda and the wider OECS.

He has also said he hopes to use his legal training to better serve working people and encourage other trade unionists to continue developing their professional skills through education.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Sen. Chester Hughes Graduates with Law Degree from Arden University.