Cayman Laws

The Cayman Islands’ legal system is based on English common law, locally enacted law and Orders-in-Council, which is legislation that the UK extends to its territories.

Local laws begin as bills, which are put forward to the Cabinet by a ministry or portfolio. If the bill receives Cabinet approval, it is forwarded to the clerk of the Legislative Assembly, who presents it to the House for its first reading, which generally takes place without debate. Before the second reading, the Cabinet member responsible for the bill outlines its general objectives and principles, which may then be debated by the House. At the end of the debate, the MLAs vote on whether the bill should proceed.

After the second reading, the bill enters the committee stage (which involves all MLAs unless the House unless refers it to a select committee), where detailed examination of each clause takes place. Once the committee stage is finished, the bill returns to the House for its report stage, presented by the member responsible, where the amended bill can be debated once more and further amendments proposed.

Following a third reading in the House, it is voted on by members of the LA. If it is passed, it will go to the governor of the Cayman Islands, who must give assent to all legislation before it is enacted and has the power to strike down any law that has been passed by the local legislature or return it to the House with recommended amendments. Once the governor’s assent is given to the bill, it is published in the official Gazette and becomes law.

Regulations to the laws are made by the governor acting on the advice of the Cabinet.

 

Cayman Islands Constitution 2009

The Cayman Islands Constitutional Order 2009 establishes the system of governance, creates procedures and structure for the government and sets out the government’s powers. The Constitution came into effect on 6 November 2009 and the Bill of Rights came into effect on 6 November 2012, with the exception of the sections dealing with the treatment of prisoners which comes into effect on 6 November, 2013. LEARN MORE

The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009

 

Legislative Assembly

Legislative Assembly Standing Orders (2006) Revision

Standing Orders of the House of Commons, United Kingdom

 

Government / Public Service

Public Service Management Law (2011 Revision)

Public Management and Finance Law (2010 Revision)

 

Conducting Business in the Cayman Islands

Laws and Regulations for Financial Services in the Cayman Islands, CIMA

Videos:

Exempted Limited Partnerships Law, (2014)

Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Law, 2014

Directors Registration and Licensing Law, 2014

 

Criminal Law

Alternative Sentencing Law (2008 Revision)

Cayman Islands Penal Code (2010)

Criminal Procedure Code (2011 Revision)

Misuse of Drugs Law (2000 Revision)

The Police Law 2010

The Proceeds of Crime Law, 2008

 

Civil Law

Marriage Law (2010 Revision)

Matrimonial Causes Law (2005 Revision)

Probate and Administration Rules (2008 Revision)

 

Construction

Planning laws and Regulations, CIG Planning Dept.

Building Control Laws and Regulations, CIG Planning Dept.

Builders Board Laws and Regulations, CIG Planning Dept.

 

Environment

National Conservation Law 

 

Health

Health Insurance Laws & Regulations, Dept. Health Regulatory Services

Health Practice Laws & Regulations, Dept. Health Regulatory Services

Health Insurance Commission (2011 Revision), DHRS

 

Immigration

Immigration Laws and Regulations, CIG Immigration Dept.

Immigration Law (2013 Revision)

Immigration (Amendment)(No. 2) Law, 2013

Immigration (Amendment) Regulations, 2013

 

Employment

Labour Law (2011 Revision)

Labour Tribunals Regulations (2012 Revision)

 

Pensions

Public Service Pensions Law (2011 Revision)

Public Service Pensions Regulations (2011 Revision)

National Pensions Law (2012 Revision)

 

More information:

Laws of the Cayman Islands, Cayman Islands Judicial and Legal Information

Consolidated Index of Laws (Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly)

 

DISCLAIMER
The materials above are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. These materials are not intended to be a comprehensive list of current laws in the Cayman Islands but include downloads or links to some that the general population may find useful. Theses materials are intended, but not promised or guaranteed to be current, complete or up-to-date and should in no way be taken as a replacement for referring to the current laws of the Cayman Islands listed on the Gazette Office, the official newspaper of the Cayman Islands Government.