Law
Four Caymanian articled clerks become new lawyers
(CNS): After 18 months of training at Maples and Calder, the Maples Group’s law firm, four Caymanians completed their articles of clerkship programme and have been admitted as attorneys-at-law in the Cayman Islands. Following their admissions, Brittany Cousins, April Ebanks, Dane Muspratt and Alice Narborough were appointed as associates across a range of practice areas in […]
First steps made for controversial lawyers law
(CNS): Cabinet has approved the first steps in the rollout of the still controversial Legal Services Act (LSA), which was passed over two years ago but has not been implemented. Cabinet’s decision to implement just two parts in full and two sections of another part will pave the way for the formation of the Cayman […]
What next for Legal Services Act?
‘Lawyer’ writes: The Legal Services Act, 2020 was published with Legislation Gazette No. 1 dated 7 January 2021, replacing the Legal Practitioners Act (2015 Revision) and providing a comprehensive legal framework to enhance the reputation of the Cayman Islands and ensure that local law is only practised by qualified, regulated and accountable lawyers. The Cabinet now has the […]
‘No more excuses’ for law firms
(CNS): David Collins, the president of the Cayman Islands Legal Practitioners Association (CILPA), warned local law firms that there could be “no more excuses” for not advancing the careers of Caymanian attorneys with the passage of the long-awaited Legal Services Bill. Speaking at the opening of the Grand Court on Wednesday, Collins said the historic […]
MPs back ‘imperfect’ lawyers law
(CNS): The Legal Services bill passed unanimously in parliament on Friday, even though both sides of the House pointed to imperfections in the legislation, which is expected to go through dozens of committee stage amendments, today. Formerly the Legal Practitioners Bill, this lawyers law has had a long and controversial history. Steering this latest version […]
Legal Services Bill marginalises Caymanians
Alric Lindsay writes: For decades, Caymanian lawyers requested a set of guidelines that would allow them to play on a level playing field for their hiring, training and promotion within Cayman Islands law firms. However, successive ruling government members (at least two of whom were former partners in Cayman Islands based law firms) were unable […]
Controversial lawyers law returns for comment
(CNS): One of the most controversial but critical pieces of legislation that governments have failed to get passed for more than a decade has made a comeback. A new version of the Legal Practitioners Law, now the Legal Services Bill, has been published for public comment after Cabinet approved this latest redraft. The bill has […]
CILPA has no authority to fine, claim lawyers
(CNS): A local law firm is challenging a fine issued by the Cayman Islands Legal Practitioners Association (CILPA) and its sub-committee, Cayman Attorneys Regulation Authority (CARA), for not registering with the association. Etienne Blake, a small firm owned by partners Vaughan Carter and Anthony Akiwumi, has appealed to the courts over a fine of $78,000 […]
Legal associations merging into one body
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Law Society (CILS) and the Caymanian Bar Association (CBA) are about merge into one single professional body. After years of the CBA largely representing the interests of local litigators and the Law Society attorneys involved in the offshore sector, the two professional bodies are shaking off the labels and, following approval […]
