With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, courts in Cayman will see “some comparatively small but nevertheless important changes”, according to Chief Justice Sir Anthony Smellie.
These changes include the transition of the title of Queen’s Counsel, or QC, among senior barristers or solicitors, to King’s Counsel, or KC; and the R, the initial which represents the Crown prosecution in court cases, now means Rex, the Latin for King, rather than Regina, the Latin for Queen.
In a statement issued Sunday, the chief justice said, “On behalf of the judiciary and the legal profession, I express condolences and profound sadness and regret at the passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Her unwavering commitment and dedication to service as our Sovereign set the highest standards for us in the judiciary and the legal profession, as it must for all.”
Two minutes of silence
He stated that “to mark our sense of loss”, he is inviting judges and magistrates to observe two minutes of silence in their courts on Monday, 12 Sept.
Also, as on government buildings throughout Cayman, the court’s flag will continue to fly at half-mast until after 8am on the day after the state funeral, which will be held on Monday, 19 Sept.
The chief justice said, “The end of the reign of our late sovereign marks the close of a remarkable era that will undoubtedly assume a unique and profound perspective for generations to come.
“Among the legal and judicial community, her passing comes with some comparatively small but nevertheless important changes that will take immediate effect in several aspects of legal and judicial tradition.”
Explaining what the changes will entail, he said that, with the ascension of King Charles III, “the title of the prestigious tribute informally known as ‘taking silk’ has been automatically converted from Queen’s Counsel (QC) to King’s Counsel (KC). This will also apply retroactively.”
He added, “In Court terminology, where a criminal case is heard between the Crown and an individual or organization, the matter will be referred to as ‘R v Name (of defendant)’, in which ‘R’ stands for Latin ‘Rex’ (the King).”
Another change will be that the formal call to order of court sessions will be now made “in the name of the King”, he said.
Similar changes are being introduced at courts throughout the United Kingdom, and in overseas territories.
In his statement, the chief justice added, “May I take this opportunity to encourage us all to remain steadfast in our commitment to the values the late Queen Elizabeth II so consistently demonstrated throughout her life: courage, compassion, integrity, kindness, humour, and, above all, duty.”
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