Cayman bench loses popular local judge

| 10/06/2019 | 21 Comments
Cayman News Service

Justice Charles Quin

(CNS): Justice Charles Quin QC died Friday evening at his George Town home surrounded by family and close friends, after a long battle with cancer. Justice Quin sat on the Grand Court bench for over a decade, dealing largely with criminal cases and some of the most tragic and complex trials. Chief Justice Anthony Smellie issued a statement Sunday about the loss of Justice Quin, who was a much-loved member of the judiciary. “I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of the Honourable Justice Charles Quin, QC,” CJ Smellie stated.

“Justice Quin served the Cayman Islands very admirably as a judge of the Grand Court for more than ten years, prior to which he practiced at the Bar of the Cayman Islands and in other regional jurisdictions for more than 25 years,” the senior judge and close colleague of Justice Quin said.

“Justice Quin was very greatly admired and respected within the Judicial Administration, the Cayman Islands legal fraternity and the wider Cayman community, as well as in other jurisdictions around the Commonwealth. He will be greatly missed and the jurisdiction will always be grateful for his service,” he added.

Despite having a challenging role in the court in recent years dealing with some of the county’s most high profile criminal cases, Justice Quin was always a fair and thoughtful judge and also kind and compassionate. But for those who knew him well, he will be remembered not just for the important work he did on the bench, but as an incredibly witty man with a genuine and warm sense of humour.

Justice Quin was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 1978, where he practised for three years until 1981, when he was admitted as an attorney-at-law to the Supreme Court of Bermuda. He served as a Crown Counsel in the Attorney General’s Chambers of the Government of Bermuda until 1984. He was then admitted as an attorney-at-law of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands in January 1985. He practised with Bruce Campbell and Company and as senior partner of the law firm, Quin & Hampson, from 1992 to 2007.

During this period, he served on many occasions as Acting Magistrate of the Summary Court, beginning in 1993 and continuing for many years, prior to being appointed in May 2008 as a judge of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2004.

Justice Quin leaves behind his wife, Diana, and sons, Nicholas, Thomas and William. More details are expected soon regarding arrangements for the celebration of his life, the CJ’s chambers stated.

Governor’s Statement on the Passing of Justice Charles Quin:

“With great sadness I learned of the passing of Justice Charles Quin. He was a well-respected man who had contributed greatly to justice in the Cayman Islands and the local region over a long career. We are indebted to him for his service. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at this sad time.”

Press release: Premier, Government pay tribute to Justice Quin, 11 June 2019

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Comments (21)

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  1. Ironside says:

    Charlie was a good man, a great man, a man who will be remembered by all who meant him for even a few minutes.

    Rest in Peace.

    A good man, though he will value his own countrymen, yet will think as highly of every other countrymen of every nation under the sun. —Samuel Richardson

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  2. Elvis says:

    what a great genuine man. always had time to come over, wave, smile and ask how I was doing and how work was.
    very genuine nice man. one of the old breed I fear. not man left.
    R.I.P Mr. Quinn sir

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  3. Before he went to the bench, Mr. Justice Quin offered to represent me at a hearing pro bono when he learnt that I had run into a problem during my tenure as News Director at Rooster 101. As it turned out station management came through with very able representation, but I’ve never forgotten that at a time when I might have really needed help, Mr. Justice Quin stepped up to offer to help someone he didn’t even know. I was pleased to hear that he was appointed to the bench and am saddened to hear of his passing.

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  4. Ron Ebanks says:

    My condolences to the family of one of Cayman finest men , will be remembered on RIP .
    I had the privilege of entertaining him a few times on my boat trips .

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  5. Anonymous says:

    Condolences to the family of a fine, compassionate jurist, a true gentlemen. Cayman has lost one of the good guys.

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  6. Anonymous says:

    Thumbs down people must be ones who don’t take accountability for their actions and we’re sentenced by Justice Quin. RIP, a great man who will not be forgotten.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    I had the pleasure of meeting him quite soon after Ivan.
    Cayman has lost a gem. He will be greatly missed. Condolences to his family and friends, he had so very many.

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  8. Leroy Parker says:

    A wonderful gentleman and a gentle giant on all fronts. He has left a great legacy that will continue to live on in his sons who are in their own rights, great citizens in their respective callings. SIP Sir Quinn.

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  9. Anonymous says:

    An absolute gentleman, lawyer, jurist and citizen. I personally benefited from his generosity when he had just started his private practice and did legal work for me and when I went to pay him he told me not to bother, as I was not making a lot of money.
    He understood that I was a struggling husband and father trying to build a better life for my family and I.
    I’m sure that there are many such stories that are never told. His wife is equally a down-to-earth unpretentious, gracious and kind lady.
    Thanks for your service and may your soul rest in peace and your loved ones comforted by the many, who mourn his passing.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    God bless you Justice Charles.

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  11. Young litigator says:

    Charlie Quin will be missed by thousands, whether he showed them mercy at the dock, or accepted their applications to be attorneys, or welcomed them into his home at Christmas time, or just touched them with his kind, humble, decent, compassionate personality. We won’t have a judge with his qualities here for a generation but, much as his qualities were needed in that capacity, he will be more missed for his character most of all and in that respect the world has lost a remarkable human being. RIP and comfort to Diana, the three sons, other family and friends and loved ones. Know that we are sharing your grief at this difficult time.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I don’t know who could possibly be thumbing this down but you must not have known Justice Quin in any of the capacities that matter to why his passing is so sad, and you should keep your lack of empathy and effectively speaking ill of a dead man to yourselves. Hope people mourn for you too.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Ignore the thumbs down. These are trolls, who get a weird thrill by trying to “shock” people with their thumbs down to very respectful comments. They are not worth your anger, or even the time I took to write this!

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      • Anonymous says:

        He was such a gracious soul. I worked across the corridor from him in Harbour Centre and went to him so many times for notarial service. He was never too busy to help and didn’t ever charge for it. I will always remember him briskly walking across town to the court house after he became Judge, wearing his hat and his necktie blowing over his shoulder. May the eternal light always shine on your face. A gentle giant. Prayers for Diana and the boys.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Possibly the light sentences handed down.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Please ignore 8th negative. Inadvertent. Wanted to see who could be so malevolent about so good a man.

  12. Anonymous says:

    This is so very sad.

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  13. Bertie : B says:

    Condolences to MR Quins family , you can now rest in peace sir , God Bless .

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  14. Anonymous says:

    R I P

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