Topic: Law
Panton: Spearfishing rules may be changed
Environment Minister Wayne Panton indicated Wednesday that long-standing rules banning the importation of spear gun parts and the granting of new spearfishing licenses could be changed, depending on recommendations from the National Conservation Council.
The issue was raised Wednesday in the Legislative Assembly.
Lawyers aim to host global event
Lawyers from the Cayman Islands competed in the Lawyers Rugby World Cup in the U.K. last month and did so well that they are looking forward to the next one, in 2019, and even hope to host it.
MLA Anthony Eden 'We do not need an atheist chairing our Cayman Islands...
Saying recent statements showed a “total apparent disrespect for the majority of residents in Cayman,” Bodden Town MLA Anthony Eden suggested Wednesday that the current chairman of the Human Rights Commission be replaced.
Cayman business in brief
Mourant Ozannes responds to jump in fund registrations; KRyS Global expands to the UK; Maples and Calder earns SOC2 accreditation; Drake Consulting obtains preferred provider status; Cayman students kept Walkers busy in summer; Chamber of Commerce hosts marketing workshop
Government sets plans for 18-month budget
The Cayman Islands government will enter uncharted financial waters Wednesday as the planning document for the upcoming 18-month budget is released in the Legislative Assembly.
Jury selection in corruption trial for Canover Watson set for Friday
Jury selection in the corruption trial of Cayman Islands businessman Canover Watson and his former personal assistant Miriam Rodriguez has been pushed back a few days, but was expected to get under way by Friday, according to attorneys involved in the case.
Minister will press Cayman on beneficial ownership registry
The U.K. Foreign Office Minister James Duddridge will press the Overseas Territories on their commitment to efficiently provide information on beneficial owners of companies and other entities at the Joint Ministerial Council Meeting at the end of this month.
Palmer's batting makes him player of the year
Christopher Palmer was named player of the year when the Cayman Islands Cricket Association held its annual awards night in George Town on Saturday.
6-month permit for tourists, not workers
Cayman's six-month visitor permit is largely for the benefit of 'snowbird' visitors, not departing workers.
When officials are 'generous' with your money
The granting of "severance payments" to select Airports Authority staffers is yet another example of the unchecked spending of government funds.
Obituary: Capt. James Ebanks Howell, 1921-2015
Capt. James Ebanks Howell passed away at home surrounded by his children on Friday, Sept. 4, 2015. He was best known to most simply as Howell.
Retiring airport staff received lucrative 'severance packages'
Some employees at the Cayman Islands Airports Authority received “severance packages” upon their retirement during the government’s 2012/13 budget year, and possibly in prior years, the Cayman Compass has learned.
Security concern delays murder appeal
Security concerns prompted the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal to adjourn hearing arguments on Thursday on behalf of Brian Emmanuel Borden, who is appealing his conviction for murder and his sentence of life imprisonment.
50 years ago: Appeal for Bodden Town police station
In the Nov. 10, 1965 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a predecessor of the Cayman Compass, Bodden Town correspondent Arthur Hunter wrote:
Immigration revenues at $89.5 million
The Cayman Islands Immigration Department took in $89.5 million in revenues during the last government budget year, nearly tripling fees collected by the agency from a decade ago.
Quarry crush victim tells story of survival
Sheldon Scott should be a dead man. The 25-year-old was seconds from being crushed to death in an industrial accident at the East End quarry when he was pulled to safety.
Business in brief
UBS, Walkers sponsor Ladies in Trusts event; Maples expands global private client services offering; DMS hosts Offshore Investment Funds Summit; and Hurst promotes Cayman at overseas real estate symposium
Changes to prisoners' release take effect Feb. 1
The Cayman Islands Governor’s Office is seeking volunteers to help decide when and how criminals – including those convicted of murder – should be released from prison.
Veteran court officer retires
Members of the judiciary and court staff held a surprise farewell ceremony on Oct. 29 for Ermyn Berry, who spent the last 27 years at the Law Courts Building in downtown George Town.
Remembrance Sunday ceremonies honor our heroes
Veterans from two world wars and men who lost their lives at sea were honored Sunday in the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac.
Veterans and Seafarers Association members attending included those who served in World War II as well as Home Guard who performed distinctive service at home during the war.
After decades of writing, friends finally meet
A local woman finally met the family she has been writing letters to since 1948.
Fuel pricing data not public, commissioner rules
Although the Cayman Islands government may have access to certain fuel pricing information from local distributors, it is not currently considered to be public, Acting Information Commissioner Jan Liebaers ruled.
Woman found off SMB identified
A woman found dead in Grand Cayman’s main tourism district early Sunday was identified by family members as a local financial services industry worker and mother of three children.
Bartenders and Botanist Gin at Cayman's Botanic Park
Cayman bartenders went a field trip to the CayFresh Farm and then the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park to look at, smell and taste a variety of flora that grow on Grand Cayman.
Book Fair brings a wealth of knowledge to budding writers
Budding authors, bloggers and poets should attend the Cayman Islands Book Fair this Saturday to get some tips from experienced speakers.
Business in brief
KPMG renews partnership with St. Ignatius; Walkers welcomes two new articled clerks; Harneys adds lawyer to litigation team; Restructuring and insolvency expert joins Mourant Ozannes; ‘Walk for the Cure’ sees big response
Cayman gas prices drop another 20 cents
Cayman’s average price per gallon for regular, unleaded self-serve fuel fell by another 20 cents at the end of October, reports from the local petroleum inspectorate show.
US ahead of Cayman in 'secrecy' index
Global financial transparency is improving but the U.S. is threatening the progress according to the most recent Financial Secrecy Index by advocacy group Tax Justice Network.
EY Report update: Few job cuts, less outsourcing in gov’t plan
Although proposals will initially lead to few job losses and no outsourcing of functions to the private sector, the Cayman Islands government announced Monday that it would seek to move forward with a total of 51 recommendations derived from a 2014 consultant report.
Personal bests set in blazing heat
The weekend warriors at the 2015 Cayman Islands Triathlon presented by Elian are nursing sore limbs and feet after Sunday’s staging at Public Beach, but many are also glowing from the satisfaction of setting personal bests.
Acker is champ an eighth time
The Cayman Islands Triathlon had another massive turnout at Public Beach on Sunday and perennial champion Marius Acker beat off all challengers again to win the event for the eighth time.
Halloween weekend keeps police busy
Halloween weekend proved to be a busy one for local law enforcement officers.
New sentencing guidelines offer sliding-scale penalties
New criminal-sentencing guidelines – the first in a promised series – published Monday by Chief Justice Anthony Smellie detail a sliding scale of penalties for burglary and robbery, allowing judges to reduce custody in certain circumstances.
'Shampooch' a neighborhood affair
Volunteers of all ages came out to support the Cayman Animal Rescue Enthusiasts “Shampooch” community dog wash hosted by George Town Primary on Sunday, Oct. 25.
Biography looks at national hero's life
National Hero Sybil McLaughlin's life is captured in biography.
Northward's got talent
Prisoners at Northward displayed their talents at a Literacy Day event last week, showcasing the prison's rehabilitation programs.
Cayman government liable for $1.4B in pensions, healthcare
The Cayman Islands government did not recognize an estimated $1.39 billion in pension and healthcare payments it will owe retirees over the next 20-25 years in its 2013/14 consolidated financial statements.
Cayman judge elected VP of international group
Cayman Islands Judge Richard Williams has been elected for the second time as vice president of the Caribbean Region of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association.
Acker expects tightest tri ever
The local triathlon scene has grown considerably in recent years thanks to a number of factors, and all the weekend warriors will be vying for bragging rights at Public Beach on Sunday.
Business in brief
Global Directories names new president and CEO; Michael Garvey joins DMS; Aon Cayman adds to Risk Solutions team; Mourant Ozannes offers development opportunities; National Gallery welcomes intern
Chamber of Commerce: Government must not 'blame business'
The Cayman Islands government must stop “blaming business owners” for the social problems that successive governments have “failed to prevent,” a Tuesday statement from the Chamber of Commerce’s executive council declares.
Finance minister: People ‘giving up’ on mortgages
Homeowners who are simply “giving up” on current mortgages and leaving the Cayman Islands make up the second most common reason for bank foreclosures, Finance Minister Marco Archer said Monday.
School zone speeding could cost license
Speeding through an area marked as a school zone in the Cayman Islands could soon cost motorists their driver’s license, government officials confirmed last week.
Whistleblower bill can nullify contracts
Any attempt to prevent workers from reporting wrongdoing against employers by inserting language into their contracts prohibiting such reports would make those contracts illegal and unenforceable, according to proposed whistleblower protection legislation made public last week.
Researchers track shark numbers
Researchers are tracking shark, snapper and grouper populations to monitor the health of predators on Cayman’s reefs.
Fingerprinting and 'fine print': $663k wasted
Who would spend $663,000 on a product — and then never use it? Here’s a clue: The matter in question has government’s fingerprints all over it.
Ministry pursuing millions in garbage fees
Cayman's government is still trying to collect trash fees from a decade ago.
Church raffles legalized in Gambling Law change
Raffles held by community organizations and church groups have been legalized under changes to the Gambling Law.
Four who robbed Blackbeard's to be sentenced next week
Four men who robbed a Blackbeard’s liquor store were “amateurish and inept” and almost “bound to be caught,” according to their own lawyers.
Lawmakers vote for mandatory fuel import price reveal
Cayman Islands lawmakers Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that seeks to force fuel importers to reveal their pricing structure for gasoline and diesel fuel shipped to the islands, massively increasing fines for noncompliance in the process.
Liquor license holders get extended 'grace period'
Cayman Islands liquor license holders who do not currently own or operate a liquor-related business will now get up to five years to retain those licenses, during which time they can apply for a business license.
Police chief denies Bush conspiracy
Commissioner of Police David Baines has denied being involved in any conspiracy to unseat former Premier Mckeeva Bush as the elected leader of the Cayman Islands.
$663K wasted on abandoned immigration fingerprint system
Government spent $663,000 on software after awarding a contract for a biometric fingerprinting system in 2010, but the software was never used, according to an audit released this week.
More human rights claims filed against immigration boards
Two Grand Court lawsuits filed this month against the Immigration Appeals Tribunal allege that decisions of the tribunal were contrary to human rights protections in the Cayman Islands Constitution Order (2009).
Business in brief
Free small business workshops; Ogier awards annual scholarship in Cayman Islands; Cayman Insurance Centre’s life agents receive top honors; Cayman Enterprise City receives Investment Environment Award;
EisnerAmper brand launch gives insider trading advice
A little known secret to insider trading is that it is not illegal to trade on material non-public information.
'Fundamental change' for Cayman politics
Not all lawmakers support 'one man, one vote,' but all agree it will profoundly change Cayman Islands politics.
Running club schedule keeps all moving around island
The Wednesday Night Running Club stages the second of its three handicap races on Oct. 21.
Collecting our thoughts on government fees
Our government’s most serious and well-documented flaw is how it spends money. Coming in at a close second is how it collects money.
Legislators approve ‘one man, one vote’ for 2017
Cayman Islands lawmakers have approved a long-debated change to ‘one
man, one vote’ for the British territory’s next general election cycle.
Premier: Government ‘out of patience’ with fuel companies
Legislation that will require Cayman’s two major fuel distributors to reveal specific pricing information on gasoline and diesel shipments was approved in a key vote last week, but certain details of the bill remain to be hammered out in a Legislative Assembly committee Monday prior to its final passage.
Save Our Youth Foundation is staging Monster Dash
Athletes can start Halloween early by taking part in the Save Our Youth Foundation inaugural Monster Dash 5K Walk/Run fundraiser this weekend.
Auditor general report: Government revenue collection ‘open to abuse’
Poor record keeping and a lack of specific criteria for waiving government fees leaves the “revenue collection operations open to abuse,” according to the acting auditor general.
Deputy governor will no longer 'run' Legislative Assembly
The management of day-to-day operations within the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly is expected to be transferred away from Deputy Governor Franz Manderson’s office later this month.
Fuel price rally runs out of gas
In the realm of rallies, there’s the Million Man March … and then there’s everything else. Put another way, not all protests are created equal.
Miller: Two-year government budgets lack transparency
A move to a two-year government budget process, approved late Wednesday by Cayman Islands lawmakers, will lessen scrutiny and transparency around public finances, independent and opposition lawmakers said.
New system impacts court cases
A system of “case management” has been introduced in the Summary Court as a way to move criminal cases through the court process with reduced delays and improved efficiency.
Police and DoE team up in East End
Environment officers are teaming up with police to help improve enforcement of conservation laws in the eastern districts.
Government accepts 19-seat voting map
Barring a major legislative revolt against Premier Alden McLaughlin’s government in the next day or so, Cayman’s 2017 general election will go forward under the principle of “one man, one vote.”
Premier McLaughlin made public on Wednesday the legislative order for 19 single-member constituent districts, anticipating that debate on the motion to accept the 2015 Electoral Boundary Commission’s district maps would commence later Wednesday or on Thursday.
Law Society's first Rugby World Cup to kick off
In Cayman’s first appearance in the Lawyers Rugby World Cup, 25 lawyers and law students will compete against eight law societies from around the world this week.
Petition leads to Mortgage Law proposal
A public push to lobby banks for leniency on home mortgages has led to a legislative effort to change Cayman’s lending rules.
Permanent residence grants: The number is still zero
More than 500 people have applied for permanent residence status under the new Cayman Islands Immigration Law in the past two years. This is how many people have been granted PR status under the new law: Zero.
