Laws
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 […]
HRC breaks silence as CP law comes into effect
(CNS): Local same-sex couples will finally be able to have their relationships legally recognised next week and gain access to similar rights afforded to married couples. The Civil Partnership Regulations have been gazetted and Deputy Governor Franz Manderson has confirmed that the civil service will be ready to take applications. Following that announcement, the Human […]
Church still pushing for biblical laws
(CNS): Even as hate speech is increasing on social media, the radio waves and public spaces against the LGBT+ community, the leaders of various churches are still pushing back against the Civil Partnership Law. The Cayman Ministers Association has claimed that it “counters the clear biblical, age-old practices and basic biology of human sexuality”, in […]
Miller: Time to focus on real problems
(CNS): The independent member for North Side, Ezzard Miller, is urging Caymanians to put the now implemented Civil Partnership Law behind them and come together to address the real problems undermining society. Miller said sexual orientation was never a source of widespread contention but there are real threats to the community, such as social and […]