The re-elected president of Cayman’s professional’s body for lawyers says he is looking forward to further modernisation of the legal system in his new term.
Richard Barton, of Barton Attorneys, added the Cayman Islands Legal Practitioners Association, had passed several milestones in the last year, but more work needed to be done.
“As we look to the future, our focus will remain clear,” Barton said. “The full implementation of the Legal Services Act will stand as the culmination of more than 50 years of tireless effort by successive legal bodies and generations to modernise our legal framework.
“This will be complemented by our continued commitment to strengthening a robust regulatory environment that aligns with global best practices and international standards.”
The Legal Services Act, passed in 2020, was designed to create framework to ensure that Cayman Islands law is only practised by properly qualified and regulated personnel.
The legislation also set out to balance public policy considerations and regulatory objectives involving the legal profession.
Provisions to allow for the establishment of a Legal Services Council and for appointments to be made to it came into force in 2022.
The Legal Services Council replaced the Cayman Attorneys Regulatory Association, which was run by the Cayman Islands Legal Practitioners Association.
There are 12 sections of the act, which cover areas such as the investigation of allegations of misconduct by lawyers, who can practise Cayman law and from where and qualifications required to practise law in the jurisdiction, with many yet to be implemented.
Barton said he also looked forward to “the formalisation of the Code of Conduct, which will establish a structured foundation for continued professional development, enhanced training and higher standards of practice within the profession”.
He added, “These objectives are not just administrative goals; they are about ensuring that our legal system continues to evolve with integrity, transparency and excellence.”
Barton said the past year’s progress reflected the dedication of the association and its council, which is elected every two years.
But he added that progress was also the result of the “collective effort of an entire profession committed to the advancement of justice and the continued strengthening of our legal system”.
Barton said, “I am particularly proud of the successful transition of regulatory authority from CILPA to the Legal Services Council and the establishment of the Legal Services Supervisory Authority.
“These developments mark a new chapter in the modernisation of our legal services framework.
“We also witnessed the establishment of the Criminal Defence Bar, expanded access to legal research tools for smaller firms, the delivery of impactful lectures with the judiciary on artificial intelligence and open justice and our sustained support for the education and training of the next generation of Cayman practitioners.”
Barton added it had been “a tremendous honour” to serve as the association president and to continue in the role. “I am deeply proud of what has been achieved and even more inspired by what lies ahead for the Cayman Islands’ legal profession,” he said.
The Cayman Islands Legal Practitioners Association council members for the next two years are vice-president Sophia Scott, secretary Cline Glidden and treasurer Justin Hart.
The other members are Kendra Foster, Nick Bullmore and Erik Bodden.
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