Court managers under investigation

| 13/09/2019 | 36 Comments
Cayman News Service
Cayman Islands courts

(CNS): Deputy Governor Franz Manderson has confirmed that “an active review” of human resource “concerns” is underway at the courthouse, but no staff members have been suspended. Earlier this week CNS learned from sources at the Cayman Islands Judicial Administration that complaints had been made about at least two members of the management team regarding their conduct. Manderson has given no details about the probe, saying that it wasn’t civil service practice to release personnel information while a review is ongoing.

According to unconfirmed reports from the court, the issue is said to relate to maladministration, including allegations of bullying by a senior member of staff and accusations of another member of the management team interfering with judicial orders.

Following CNS enquiries about the investigation, Manderson released a short statement confirming the review.

“The management and staff of the organisation are fully cooperating with the review, which is still underway,” he said. “This is as much information as will be released, as it is not our practice to release detailed information on internal HR matters, and in particular not to do so whilst a review is ongoing. However, I can confirm that no staff member has been suspended or placed on required leave,” the deputy governor added.


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Category: Local News

Comments (36)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    When is the DG and the AG going to wake up and deal with the wide spread corruption that is taking place within all aspects of government service? From breaking confidentiality rules, using govt vehicles and time for private business, using govt facilities to run private businesses, false accounting of hours worked to kick backs for favors.
    Each department should be audited in depth, not just a piecemeal overview of managers submissions.
    Mr Manderson, take this more seriously, millions are being wasted by those in government service to feed their own greed. You want a world class civil service, then root out the rot within and start holding those in charge to full account.

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  2. I live it everyday says:

    Lack of ethics – at all levels.

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  3. Anonymous says:

    When someone applies for legal aid, the usual course is that an independent lawyer will review the basis of the claim and consider the prospects of success. Sometimes, a party simply has no claim recognised in law and therefore there is no cause of action. If this procedure was not done, then the public would be paying for a load of unmeritorious claims going before the court.

    Interestingly, those granted legal aid tend to drive up legal costs as the court cannot make a costs order against a legally aided party. As there is no potential financial consequences of bringing a poor claim to court, there is no incentive to settle. Thank god that at least the initial procedure prevents those with hopeless cases being granted legal aid!!

  4. Anon says:

    I go to pay a traffic ticket, and was told it was “not in the system yet” and I had to go to the court house to get a docket #. I go to the court house but was refused entry as I was wearing shorts (in 94 degree temps). I can understand this if I was going into a court in session,but I just needed to see a clerk in the admin offices outside the courtrooms.So many don’t bother to pay fines and it takes years before the police try and catch up with them, so why these ridiculous bureaucratic obstacles to those honest enough to pay their fines.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I had the same experience, and this was a week after the parking ticket was issued. When I asked what she meant by not in the system the reply was priceless. She said the cops are too lazy to enter them!

      No wonder so many people don’t bother paying.

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    • Anon says:

      At least you weren’t arrested yet. My son paid his ticket too quickly before police put it in system and was arrested in the night weeks later & they wouldn’t give him a chance to locate his receipt. I went to bail him & was told I had to pay cash which was not true as he should have been bailed on his own recognizance. Next day when receipt was produced they didn’t want to give me funds back (mortgage pymt) but told me to apply thru Treasury which takes weeks. Since my cash was still in the desk drawer I refused to leave empty handed. Court staff said Police knew the courts system was having problems & should not have been arresting anyone until it was sorted. Others arrested also spent night in jail for paid tickets.

  5. Derry says:

    Thank you DG for promoting accountability in the civil service. I hope there will be lessons learned.

    Come to work every day. Work hard and treat everyone with courtesy and respect.

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    • Anonymous says:

      The civil service has less accountability now than ever.

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      • Anonymous says:

        If someone speaks to someone for always coming in to work late an not doing much work, then that’s bulling, that’s why so many civic servants its not up to standard these days, they feel that they should be able to do what they want to do, when they want to do it
        So the boss is the bad one for speaking to them, so they are left to do whatever they feel like doing, which is not much.

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    • Anon says:

      10.28pm I can only say the DG has a long way to go, none of what you look for applies to most of the C.S. which is why they are still 3rd world class.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Based on the reports the main complaints are being made by a disgruntled employee against persons who used to be her friends. Woman fight. It is amazing how women love to diminish each other. The word bullying is their new word for I am jealous of you and I do not want to take directions from you.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Everyone? Im not sure you can say everyone in that sentence.

  6. Anonymous says:

    The civil service is a welfare system so what do you expect?

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  7. Anonymous says:

    1:02…i took it to coirt for laughs sake….a grand court judge ruled yes it did? i guess that is why a totally independent private sector lawyer decide legal aid grants rather than a judge….now!

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  8. Anonymous says:

    So the fox is investigating the hen house? Franz Manderson is a main reason for the continuing poor sevirce, in all regards, throughout the civil service! Waste of time to involve him!

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    • LE says:

      3:51 poor you! Stop being jealous of our DG.

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    • Anonymous says:

      3:51. How did you glean from the article that the fox is guarding the hen house?

      Leave our DG alone. Yes I am a proud civil servant who has witnessed the vast improvement in the civil service in the past 3 years.

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  9. Anonymous says:

    About time. that place has been a hornet’s nest for years. Some would not return a phone call if their lives depended on it and one had the audacity to snub me in the supermarket because I kept calling to speak with her. Another place that needs a good cleanup.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    They have to learn that they can only impede the course of justice if one of the Ol Boys Club tells them to. Like when someone influence peddles for the release of illegally imported explosives.

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  11. Anonymous says:

    Much corruption going on in the Judicial Administration. Only takes a few beers with the right people to get things twisted in your favour.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Didn’t get any responses from email and phone inquires until I threatened to expose. Then get a Friday night call with some lame suggestion involving a probation client. With lies and no follow through.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Yep if you want something quashed to approved go to Sea Inn, Country and Western, or Mango with a few restaurant gift certs.

  12. "Court" out says:

    I suppose the ongoing review will be rapidly concluded after about 2 years and any guilty parties offered early retirement with a humongous golden handshake and full pension. Such are the world class benefits of being a civil servant.

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  13. Anonymous says:

    Heaven help anyone that has to stand trial in the Cayman Islands and expects an even hand or justice. It is a spin of the wheel of chance every time, just hope that you’re the lucky one that day.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    Its obvious it was going wrong….since the new two arrived, nothing gets done! They begged and begged for a new building, got Scotia, moved them selves over and have done ZERO to get functioning courts there or help the actual people that need it! Makes a total mockery of the Chief Justice and those who work hard there! So glad there is some accountability.

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  15. Anonymous says:

    i applied for lega aid some years ago….instead, i got an opinion stating that the case had no cause of action??… prior to even being heard?

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    • Anonymous says:

      And? If there is no cause of action why would you get legal aid?

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      • Anonymous says:

        Why you anyone apply for legal aid…they grant who they have to and then all others have to fend for themselves… gaddang it you have to be guilty as sin, or likely to be viewed as such, to get legal aid!! I hope they get charged for their behave if it calls for it…. then let’s see now if they will apply for legal aid and they gets it.

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      • Anonymous says:

        The court has the sole power to make a decision as to no cause to hear! So now the legal aid office is judge, jury and executioner??

        I’ve had several incidents of major life changing incidents that have gone against me due to inability to secure legal counsel. Yep, turned down by legal aid each time! So, I’m now homeless and indigent, and a charge to the government for the rest of my life due to inability to get access to justice..

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        • Anonymous says:

          Nope, if you’re claim is not good enough you don’t get legal aid. The rest of it sounds like rampant self-pity mixed with blaming everyone but yourself for your own problems.

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        • Anonymous says:

          “I’ve had several incidents of major life changing incidents that have gone against me” REally. You must be a really unlucky or you are a troll. i’ll go with the second option.

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