Fifteen new Justices of the Peace (JPs) were appointed this week. They were sworn-in on Tuesday, 20 November by Deputy Clerk of Court Cecile Collins, JP.

The ceremony was attended by His Excellency the Governor Duncan Taylor, CBE; Attorney General Samuel Bulgin, QC JP; and Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, Cert. Hon. JP – whose office is responsible for coordinating this function.

The 15 appointees will strengthen the capacity of the local judicial system to provide official services to members of the public, commented Governor Taylor.

Representatives of the Cayman Islands JP Association and relatives of the appointees also witnessed the event.

Governor Taylor signed the warrants of appointment. During the function he congratulated the men and women for taking on this significant new responsibility in service to the people of the Cayman Islands.

An orientation session preceded yesterday’s swearing-in.  Former magistrate Mrs. Grace Donalds, JP facilitated this training, alongside Cayman Islands JP Association President Debra Humphries, other JP Association members, and courts staff.

There are now over 150 JPs in the Cayman Islands. In the future, new (and existing) members will continue to benefit from mandatory training sessions.

Adding his congratulations, the Hon. Attorney General Samuel Bulgin QC, JP, said, “Your appointment is very prestigious but not meant to be merely symbolic. It is meant to be an obligation to further assist your country.”

He told the JPs, “your appointment means that even though y ou have no formal legal training you have been adjudged as having the common sense, intelligence, integrity and capacity to act fairly, and prepared to give freely of your time for no material reward.”

The Attorney General further advised them: “Under no circumstances should you act in matters where you have an obvious or potential conflict of interest, whether the interest is personal, pecuniary or otherwise.”

JPs are appointed by the Governor, under the Summary Jurisdiction Law, which regulates the operation of the summary or magistrates’ courts, including the appointment of magistrates.

They have authority to preside over certain criminal cases. They also have powers to issue summonses and warrants; to take affidavits; to administer oaths, solemn declarations and affirmations; and to admit persons to bail, or remand them. They also possess general judicial and administrative powers in relation to the administration of justice.

JPs may also serve, as required, in the Youth Court, or otherwise, in addition to their duties of assisting with passport applications and other documents; and assisting their communities with various initiatives – such as working to divert vulnerable or at-risk youths away from the penal justice system.

Article & Photos by GIS Information Officer Lennon Christian.