Former Chief Magistrate is now Supreme Court judge
When a special court session was called last week to say farewell to Chief Magistrate Margaret Ramsay-Hale, attorney Howard Hamilton rose to speak and congratulate her on her elevation to Puisne Judge in the Turks and Caicos.
“May it please you, My Lady,” he began, but was stopped. “Not yet,” she told him and the other attorneys, judges, court staff and well-wishers.
But she is “My Lady” now, having taken her oath of office earlier this week before the Governor of that Overseas Territory, Ric Todd.
Tuesday, 1 November, was her first day in court where she was scheduled to hear primarily commercial matters. She is based in Providenciales.
Before leaving Cayman, she sat extra hours to complete all of her criminal matters except one. In that case, the defendant had been given permission to leave the Island to be with a family member who was seriously injured in an auto accident. His trial will have to start over in front of another magistrate when he returns.
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Would you kindly check whether a female judge is Her Ladyship? I doubt it, in any jurisdiction. And it is no disrespect to her achievement to entitle her correctly.
Editor’s note: It is our observation that the proper form of address in the Cayman Islands courts for judges is usually ‘My Lord’ or ‘My Lady’ – depending on gender, of course. What do you call them, Old Hand?