CHANGES TO CAYMAN ISLANDS CONSTITUTION

In order to clarify sections of the Constitution relating to the tenure of Grand Court Judges and responsibility for the disciplinary oversight of the Judiciary, the Governor recently requested that the Minister responsible for the Overseas Territories consider two minor amendments to the Cayman Islands constitution.

This request was fully supported by the Honourable Premier, the Honourable Leader of the Opposition and the Judiciary.

The Minister agreed to the amendments, which came into force by proclamation on Friday, 12 August 2016.

Note to editors:
The Cayman Islands Constitution (Amendment) Order 2016, SI 2016 No.780 was published in the Cayman Islands Gazette on 12 August 2016.

The first amendment changes the normal retirement age of judges from 65 to 70.

The second amendment transfers the power to exercise disciplinary control over judges of the Grand Court and the Court of Appeal from the Governor to the Chief Justice and the President of the Court of Appeal respectively.