Topic: Law
Cayman's human rights issues to be aired internationally
The gay law professor at the center of an immigration test case challenging the unequal treatment of homosexuals in the Cayman Islands has been invited to make a presentation on the issue to the International Bar Association.
Texas family finds ‘pennies from heaven’ at Cayman grave
Every year Verna and Cal Rutherford from Port Arthur, Texas, visit Cayman to tidy up Mrs. Rutherford’s family’s cemetery plot on Monument Road.
Baha Mar provisional liquidators appointed
The Bahamas Supreme Court has approved the appointment of provisional liquidators for the country’s bankrupt multi-hotel tourist resort Baha Mar.
Business in brief
RBC Royal Bank launches private banking; interns get work experience at LIME; Mourant Ozannes expands Hong Kong practice; Appleby acted for holdings firm in Hong Kong listing
Caledonian depositors will receive about 90 cents on the dollar
Creditors of Caledonian will recover most of their money, according to the Cayman bank’s liquidators.
EY reform plan: One year later
It
has been a year since the Cayman Islands government announced an
ambitious public sector reform plan to restructure the civil service,
amalgamate certain services, privatize others and sell off certain
public assets.
The reforms were based on a $155,000 consultant report done by EY, and although many of the recommendations were longer-term projects, Premier Alden McLaughlin said in April that six areas in particular had been identified as issues the government would pursue immediately.
Congratulations to Cayman's young scholars
Let us devote a moment to recognizing excellence among the young people of the Cayman Islands.
Court: Webb allowed to return to Georgia
Cayman's Jeffrey Webb will be allowed to return “home” to Georgia while on bail from U.S. bribery charges.
Edwards pounds the roads dreaming of CARIFTA glory
The youngsters at the Middle Distance Runners club were always going to surpass the adults once maturity kicked in, and that was evident at the Fidelity Fun Run on Saturday.
Premier: Government taking permanent resident ruling ‘seriously’
Cayman's premier says his government is taking legal concerns about the local immigration system "very seriously."
Maples continues CIFA funding, confirms Blake resignation
Law firm Maples and Calder will continue its sponsorship of grass roots football in the Cayman Islands despite recent controversies surrounding the game’s local governing body.
‘Sea-change’ in permanent residence process expected
The effect of a judgment issued by Chief Justice Anthony Smellie could have a "sea-change" effect on the way permanent residence applications are handled.
Baines: Legal aid cap would reduce delays
Reforming legal aid would help reduce delays clogging up the courts, according to Police Commissioner David Baines.
Cayman issues poised for 'prime time'
From the standpoint of sheer numbers, we cannot recall another point in time where Cayman faced so many reputational threats of our own creation.
Five YCLA finalists chosen
The Young Caymanian Leaders Foundation on Friday named three women and two men as finalists for the top spot in 2015’s annual awards contest, choosing among musicians, health professionals and finance experts.
Criminal justice report: What it really says
The U.K. adviser's new report on criminal justice in the Cayman Islands is rather "understated." But that doesn't mean we should understate its importance.
Gay law professor can apply for visitor permit
A law professor fighting to have his same-sex marriage recognized by Immigration officials so he can stay in Cayman says he has been told he can apply for a visitor’s permit as an interim measure.
Judge nullifies Brady's four-game 'DeflateGate' suspension
U.S. District Court Judge Richard M. Berman on Thursday nullified the four-game suspension given to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady by the NFL over the DeflateGate case.
Gay couple challenge Immigration decision
A gay law professor and his husband are at the center of a possible test case, challenging the “unequal” treatment of homosexual couples in the Cayman Islands.
Cayman residents challenge tax information exchange with IRS
Two Cayman residents are challenging a decision by the Tax Information Authority to comply with a tax information exchange request by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
Liquor board schedules annual meeting
Renewal of licenses for liquor, music and dancing are on the agenda at the upcoming Liquor Licensing Board’s annual meeting.
Purple Dragon gets new sponsor
The Purple Dragon martial arts scholarship program has attracted a new sponsor, law firm Conyers, Dill & Pearman.
Judicial 'slapdown': Government better pay attention
Did you hear that? It might sound like the fall of a gavel — but if you listen more closely, you may recognize the noise of floodgates opening.
'Shark Talk' aims to change attitudes
Hundreds of schoolchildren will get to question filmmakers and scientists about sharks as part of a new three-day event, Cayman Shark Talk.
Chief Justice's ruling questions 'opaque' and 'arbitrary' permanent residence policy
The permanent residence applications of two workers will be sent back to the Cayman Islands Immigration Appeals Tribunal for reconsideration following a ruling on Friday by Chief Justice Anthony Smellie.
New labor bill: Bad for business, bad for employees
The proposed “Labour Relations Bill, 2015” is an anti-business screed that will benefit neither employees nor employers and will result in increased unemployment in the Cayman Islands – especially among young people just starting out on their career paths.
UK minister: 'More than one way' on beneficial ownership
Acting U.K. Overseas Territories Minister Grant Shapps said Thursday he is hopeful that Cayman and the Mother Country can reach some form of agreement on requirements to list the beneficial owners of companies registered here.
All three defendants found guilty in liquor store robbery trial
All three defendants in the Blackbeard’s liquor store robbery were found
guilty late Thursday; verdicts of the 11-member jury were unanimous.
Jury deliberates in liquor store robbery trial of 3 men
As of press time Thursday, the jury was still deliberating in the trial of three men accused of robbing Blackbeard’s liquor store in Grand Harbour in December 2014.
An argument AGAINST the Labour Relations Bill
An argument against the proposed Labour Relations Bill, 2015 submitted by James Bergstrom.
An argument FOR the Labour Relations Bill
An argument for the proposed Labour Relations Bill, 2015 submitted by George R. Ebanks.
Case files: A year in the life of the Labour Tribunal
The Labour Tribunal sided with disgruntled employees in the majority of unfair dismissal claims brought during a 12-month period reviewed by the Cayman Compass.
Cayman’s labor law history: Different decades, same arguments
Over the past 27 years, the same arguments have come up time and again about proposed labor laws.
Cayman's way forward with labor legislation
The Cayman Compass has produced an in-depth special report to shed light on what is being proposed in the draft Labour Relations Bill, 2015. This report includes arguments for and against the bill; a history of labor legislation; and articles to put the bill into perspective if it is passed into law.
Half of residence test takers get 75 percent or higher
More than half of the 240 people who sat the Immigration Department’s permanent residence exam between May and July answered at least 75 percent of the questions correctly.
Law would affect dismissal process, severance payments
The proposed Labour Relations Bill includes many changes to the process for dismissing or terminating an employee.
Minister of Employment statement and overview on the Labour Relations Bill
Minister of Employment Tara Rivers offers an overview of the Labour Relations Bill, 2015.
Public invited to consult on marine parks proposal
The Ministry of the Environment will begin seeking public input next month on proposals for an enhanced system of marine parks.
The costs of compliance: What will labor law require?
Cayman's businesses will have to spend time and money figuring out the latest rendition of government's employment requirements.
What the Labour Tribunal does
The Labour Tribunal is a statutory body established for the purpose of hearing complaints from employees, including unfair dismissal claims.
Business in brief
A roundup of local business briefs.
Jacket ownership admitted, robbery denied
One of the three defendants in the Blackbeard's liquor store robbery trial told jurors Monday that he had owned the black jacket identified as being worn by one of the robbers, but he denied wearing it in the holdup.
Statement from CIFA
The Cayman Islands Football Association responds to media reports and Sports Minister Osbourne Bodden's comments from last week.
Tax increase for land holding company transfers
An amendment to the Land Holding Companies Share Transfer Tax Law increases the tax on land transfers to 7.5 percent from a 4 percent tax for Caymanians and 6 percent for non-Caymanians.
Permanent resident test classes to resume in October
Study classes for non-Caymanians taking the Immigration Department’s permanent residence exam – or those who just want to learn more about the Cayman Islands – will resume in October.
Fallout spreads from Mr. Eden’s intemperate remarks
Anthony Eden’s remarks on the floor of the Legislative Assembly regarding homosexuality could not have been more ill-conceived – but they were also ill-timed.
Organizers defend LGBT lecture series
The organizer of a lecture series on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and gender rights in the Cayman Islands has responded to critical remarks made by Bodden Town MLA Anthony Eden during a recent meeting of the Legislative Assembly.
Students bound for UK network at Gov't House
A reception drew 50 people, mostly current and former students, to the Governor’s House to mingle and network, joined by Premier Alden McLaughlin, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson and Minister of Education Tara Rivers.
A toast to our new hospitality graduates
It's good news to see many of the 18 recent graduates of the inaugural UCCI School of Hospitality program placed in jobs or going on to further their education in the tourism industry.
Marriage debate was 'hate speech,' rights commission says
The Human Rights Commission accused certain MLAs of using their elected positions to espouse “poisonous hate speech and threats of violence” against homosexual men and women.
Lengthy suspensions with pay for government employees
A series of Freedom of Information requests reveal government employees accused of crimes can stay on paid suspensions for years.
Program for disabled teens teaches more than just diving
Stay-Focused has been bringing teenagers with disabilities from the U.S. to Grand Cayman to teach them how to scuba dive and empower them to get out of their comfort zone.
Business in brief
A roundup of local business briefs.
Cayman named top offshore domicile for captives
The Cayman Islands received the top prize at the 2015 U.S. Captive Services Awards.
One lane of Esterley Tibbetts to close Wednesday
The north-bound lane of the Esterley Tibbetts Highway in front of Camana Bay will be closed for four hours from 10 p.m. Wednesday night.
Personal finance meetings begin at MLA offices
A personal financial advisory program sponsored by two Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly members got under way Tuesday night.
Summit Trust expands into Cayman
Global trust company Summit Trust International is expanding into the Cayman Islands through a joint venture with international private client lawyer and trustee Marcus Parker.
Cayman's safety: Our islands' greatest asset
Providing an environment that is both safe and perceptually safe is paramount in enticing new visitors to the Cayman Islands and in attracting the kind of talent needed to stay competitive in our financial services industry.
The Turtle Farm: A $30,000-a-day national meal
The Cayman Turtle Farm’s annual report has arrived. It contains bad news, and good news … sort of.
Construction rules, financial services regulations, NRA funding approved
A number of significant laws were approved by the Legislative Assembly last week. The Compass takes a look at what they will mean for local businesses.
Government says marriage is between one man, one woman
The Cayman Islands government has passed a motion to maintain the definition of marriage as it is currently written in the law: a union between a man and a woman.
Premier says conspiracy evidence fabricated, signatures forged
Evidence intended to be used to disprove Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin’s case during the course of an upcoming civil trial is fabricated and, in some cases, contains forged signatures, the premier alleged.
Auditor General Swarbrick resigns, to remain in job until October
Alastair Swarbrick, the Cayman Islands auditor general for the last five years, announced his resignation Wednesday morning just as he was on the receiving end of some sharp public criticism from Cayman’s political opposition leader.
Fishermen warned over illegal shark fishing
Fishermen have been warned that catching sharks is now illegal in the Cayman Islands under the new National Conservation Law.
Seaman's son dedicates his call to the Bar
Cayman’s newest attorney, an aeronautical communications engineer and son of a seaman, was called to the Bar of the Cayman Islands last week.
Second lawmaker opposes independent offices merger
Cayman's independent opposition lawmakers want to preserve separate oversight offices for complaints and information requests.
Speed limit immobility: Sign of the times
It is difficult to think of an act of governance more simple than setting a speed limit.
Business in brief
A roundup of local business briefs.
Former Airports Authority boss cleared by police
Former airport boss Jeremy Jackson is hoping to resurrect his career and reputation after being cleared of wrongdoing following a two-and-a-half year police investigation into allegations of financial misconduct.
14 North Side speeders rounded up
After getting an earful from North Side residents and eastern district MLAs about traffic problems earlier this year, police ticketed more than a dozen people during a Sunday crackdown at Rum Point.
North Side speeders rounded up
After getting an earful from North Side residents and eastern district MLAs about traffic problems earlier this year, police ticketed more than a dozen people during a Sunday crackdown at Rum Point.
Liquor store robbery trial set to begin
The trial of three men charged with robbing Blackbeard's liquor store in Grand Harbour is set to begin Tuesday.
