Clifford to open own law office

The mix of police officers, court staff and politicians with family members and friends in Court Five was unusual, but it reflected the unique background of Charles Edison Clifford, who was called to the Bar of the Cayman Islands on 4 May. 

Justice Alexander Henderson, who presided over the ceremony, remarked that of attorneys he had seen admitted, not many – perhaps none – had Mr. Clifford’s previous experience. Because of it, and with a lively interest in all areas of law, Mr. Clifford will be a successful and effective attorney, the judge predicted. 

Attorney General Samuel Bulgin described that experience when he formally moved the admission. Mr. Clifford began his career as a police cadet, moving up the ranks to chief inspector in charge of administration. In those 16 and a half years, he had significant exposure to operational matters as well as criminal investigations. He also served as police prosecutor in the Summary Court. 

Mr. Bulgin suggested that this exposure to advocacy had stimulated Mr. Clifford’s passion to be an attorney. 

In 1997, “having gained considerable experience in the workings of the public sector, he was appropriately allowed to transition from the Royal Cayman Islands Police to the position of Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Trade,” Mr. Bulgin related. 

By 2000, he had earned his law degree from the University of Liverpool through the Cayman Islands Law School and had satisfied the requirements of a professional practice course through Queen’s University, Belfast. He began his preparation to be an articled clerk – the final phase of his legal training. 

But this was not to be, the attorney general continued, because Mr. Clifford was asked to take on the more demanding role of Permanent Secretary. “This passion for public service caused him to therefore put a pause on his own professional pursuits.” 

In 2004, after more than 23 years, he demitted office as a civil servant and began his articles with the firm then known as Quin & Hampson (now Mourant), but this was again interrupted when Mr. Clifford decided to offer himself for representative political office. 

He was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Bodden Town and then as a cabinet minister, with responsibility for Tourism, Environment, Investment and Commerce. 

Mr. Bulgin asked to make a personal observation: That during Mr. Clifford’s tenure in the Legislative Assembly and Cabinet, “I was always impressed by [his] passion for matters relating to law and order. He was a very keen supporter and, indeed, promoter of any legislative and other initiatives that would enhance the justice system. His commitment was unequivocal.” 

Mr. Clifford returned to private life in 2009, pursuing a period of consultancy. During this time he was also afforded the honour of completing his articles in the Judicial Administration Department. 

“It is via this winding staircase that he ascended to be before Your Lordship today … His presence here this morning is a culmination of his sheer determination to fulfil his life-long career aspiration,” Mr. Bulgin concluded. 

After reviewing the required documentation, Justice Henderson agreed that Mr. Clifford was a fit and qualified candidate to be admitted to the bar and invited him to sign the rolls. 

Newly robed and wigged, Mr. Clifford used his first speech as an attorney to thank the many people who had helped him along the way. He said Chief Justice Anthony Smellie, then-Court Administrator Delene Cacho and Clerk of Court Tabitha Philander had facilitated the completion of his articles. He thanked Ms Philander, saying, “I could not have asked for a more kind and accommodating principal and counsellor.” 

He thanked the attorneys at Quin & Hampson, who had accommodated him. But for his decision to enter politics, he would have completed his articles with that firm and would have been called to the bar in 2006. “But I do not regret the deviations that I have taken along this journey to becoming an attorney-at-law. I truly believe that those deviations were for the greater good,” he reflected. 

He thanked family members for their support and court staff for its assistance. 

“I pledge, as an officer of the court, to do my part to assist the judiciary in upholding the rule of law in the Cayman Islands and ensuring that justice is fair and equitable. I pledge to embrace the high ethical standards which legal practitioners are expected to emulate,” Mr. Clifford said. 

He said he looked forward to appearing in both the Grand Court and Summary Court as an advocate for his clients. He advised that, following much deliberation and planning, he had decided to open his own law office.