Former CI attorney general to join Court of Appeal
(CNS): A former Cayman Islands attorney general has been appointed to the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal. The decision was based, for the first time, on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, established by the new Constitution introduced in November 2009. Governor Duncan Taylor announced the appointment of Sir Richard Ground as Cayman's newest appeal court Judge following an open recruitment process, in which the commission advertised the post locally and overseas throughout June and July. Sir Richard currently serves on the Turks and Caicos Court of Appeal and is due to join the Bermuda Court of Appeal in January next year.
During the recruitment process the potential appeal judges were short-listed to four and Sir Richard was selected.
Prior to his recent retirement, Sir Richard was the chief justice of Bermuda, a post he held for eight years, and before that he was chief justice of the Turks & Caicos Islands for six years, and a Puisne Judge in Bermuda for six years.
He was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1975 but has spent most of his career in the region. Between 1987 and 1992 he was attorney general of Cayman and he received an OBE in 1991 for services to the Islands. He was awarded a Knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List earlier this year for his services to justice in Bermuda.
Category: Local News
To be chosen for the Court of Appeals it makes sense that you should have experience as at least a Judge, maybe stretching it a Magistrate. Get real people we need to get local individuals involved at the entry level of judicial jobs first then they can get promoted. Many of the names mentioned would be wonderful for entering this system but the question is are they willing and willing to start at the entry level?
the brotherhood of travelling wigs…
She’s not a litigator, and she’s retired. Otherwise, great choice.
I cannot take men seriously who like to play "dress up". Too Cathoic, High Anglican, or Masonic for my taste.
Why not Steve McField?
When will we have our own Caymanian Judges?When we go independent?
Are our lawyers not good enough? What is wrong with this governor and the UK?
Identify a Caymanian litigator of a suitable pedigree.
Initials SC.
Sadly retired
Sara Collins
I know SC and am sure she wants to give up a brilliant and lucrative career, to sit and impose sentences on ganja smokers. Who would blame her?
You know her well enough to know she’s retired?
If you know SC you will know that she has already retired from practise. Judges don't deal with ganja smokers; magistrates do. She could easily work in the commercial court.
That is a very short short list of one. Any other names?
The question requested a single nominee. Sherri Ann Bodden would also be quite capable, but beyond them the pickings are indeed probably slim for a Grand Court Judge but that is more a reflection on the paucity of training and career growth provided in our law firms than a reflection on our lawyers capabilities.
So from that answer the short list remains one with only Ms Collins’ name credibly on it?
The two ladies named are examples of lawyers who have achieved their deserved success by working hard for it, not by using “paucity of training” as an excuse for failure.
Smart word, “paucity”. Perhaps you should apply.
"Paucity of training" – what nonsense. This training myth is churned out as if one can go on a course and become a better lawyer. The good get better by putting in the extra hours and learning. You cannot "train" someone to be better than they are when it comes to that kind of job. It is just an excuse trotted out by the mediocre to blame others for their own limitations.
No, there are no Caymanian lawyers who are good enough. Sad but true.
Not true. I think of at least one female litigator who would be quite good. The expat judges we've had have not been all that wonderful.
Well she’s welcome to apply. Has she done so?
How many CAYMANIAN QC’s are there swabbing around – I would have thought that was a prerequisite for a Judge of the Grand Court – let alone an Appeals Court Judge.
That has never been a prerequisite. We have had many expat judges and few of them have been QCs beforehand. They get are often given it on an honorary basis after being appointed.
The major advantage of foreign judges and police is that they are unlikely to be related to or be long time school buddies with any of the population.
Impartiality can always be anticipated therefore.
You can't expect a judge who is related to someone related to the defendant who got him status …to be impartial.
GOOD!