Laws
Judicial review of civil union law remains secret
(CNS): A law suit filed by local conservative, Christian activist, Kattina Anglin, seeking a judicial review of the governor’s use of his constitutional powers to implement the Civil Partnership Law is still not publicly available, even though it appears the case was granted leave to proceed. The case was accepted by Justice Richard Williams in […]
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 […]
AG: Suicide is a medical issue, not a crime
(CNS): Attorney General Samuel Bulgin told his parliamentary colleagues on Monday that suicide is a mental health issue and not a crime, as he presented an amendment to the Penal Code to decriminalise it. The law was passed unanimously by members on both sides. No one in modern times who has tried to take their […]
Constitutional amendments now official
(CNS): Over a dozen amendments to the Cayman Islands Constitution 2009 are now official after the order was gazetted Monday. Described as a modernisation of the Constitution, the order comprises the most significant set of changes to the document since it was implemented eleven years ago. However, it is not as fundamental a change as […]
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 […]
Cayman Finance floats option to contentious bills
(CNS): Cayman Finance has proposed an alternative approach to the amendments government plans to make to several laws in order to address compliance issues regarding transparency of accounting records for offshore service providers. The list of bills stirred up controversy with stakeholders when they were circulated to industry players, raising alarm that they posed a […]
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 […]
COVID-19 fines increase to $10,000
(CNS): Government has steered through a change to the Public Health Law designed to deter people from breaching home-isolation rules during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the opposition leader described the amendment as draconian, the bill nevertheless sailed through its second reading. Fines for breaking quarantine rules will increase to $10,000, after Health Minister Dwayne Seymour […]
DG: No hidden agenda for local army
(CNS): Government has agreed to make amendments to the Defence Bill, which was before the Legislative Assembly for debate this week, but Deputy Governor Franz Manderson has insisted there is no hidden agenda or conspiracy surrounding the law written to support the newly created Cayman Islands Regiment. The local force was established, government has said, […]
CIG finally offers free online access to laws
(CNS): The public can finally access all current Cayman Islands legislation free of charge on a single website with the launch of legislation.gov.ky. This long-awaited online library includes laws and regulations, as well as all bills tabled for consideration by the Legislative Assembly. The archive goes back to 1963 and is a recognition by government […]
Bill could hinder people’s right to justice
(CNS): An amendment to the Judicature Law, which is expected to be debated in the Legislative Assembly next month, defines protective cost orders in judicial reviews or constitutional cases but could actually undermine the ability of ordinary people to bring a legal challenge against government. The bill spells out the court’s ability to prevent anyone […]
