Persons who breach their business licence requirements in Cayman will be subject to receiving tickets and paying fines under the new Trade and Business Licensing Law: <http://www.dci.gov.ky/portal/pls/portal/docs/1/12128185.PDF>.

The law, which commenced on 1 January, includes penalties that will be levied on business owners who commit offences ranging from failing to clearly display their trade and business licence; to hindering a police officer or Department of Commerce and Investment (DCI) trade officer during the course of an activity, such as a search of a business premise. Tickets range from $100 to $2,500.

DCI will administer the ticketing system, which the department’s Director Ryan Rajkumarsingh says is not to punish people, but rather to encourage them to fulfil their responsibilities under the legislation.

‘Over the years, business owners who follow the law have asked repeatedly that Government implement a mechanism that addresses those who are not in compliance’, he explained.

‘So it was no surprise that, when DCI held educational meetings leading up to the implementation of the new TBL, this was one of the main subjects that attendees raised. Business owners see compliance as one of the main factors that ensures fair competition in Cayman’.

Business owners will have two ways of dealing with tickets. They can either pay the ticket within 28 days after it has been issued, or request, within 28 days of receiving the ticket, a Summary Court trial.

Failure to either pay the ticket, or to notify the Summary Court within the specified time frame, will result in business owners being summoned to court.

The new law focuses on creating a level playing field for businesses, and is intended to lead to greater efficiencies in the overall business licensing system. Among other features, it reduces approval times for licenses, clarifies business licensing categories, and, through the ticketing regime and other provisions, improves DCI’s enforcement powers.