Margaret Ramsay-Hale gets top judge job in TCI

| 20/06/2014

(CNS): The former chief magistrate of the Cayman Islands, Margaret Ramsay-Hale, has been appointed as the chief justice of the Turks and Caicos Islands. She joined the TCI bench as a Judge of the Islands’ Supreme Court in November 2011. Recommended to the TCI’s governor by the Judicial Service Commission she will assume her new position later this year when the current Chief Justice Edwin Goldsborough retires. "I have offered this position to Justice Ramsay-Hale this week, and I am very pleased that she has accepted it,” said Peter Beckingham, the TCI governor.

“I am certain that she will bring a great deal of energy as well as professional wisdom and experience to this very important job in the Turks and Caicos Islands. I would also like to pay tribute to the work of current Chief Justice Goldsborough. He has over-seen the judicial process at a difficult and demanding time for the country, and Turks and Caicos has benefitted greatly from his contribution," the islands’ UK boss said.

Born in Jamaica-born Ramsay-Hale holds a degree in economics from the London School of Economics in addition to her law degree from the University of the West Indies. As well as a successful legal career, Ramsey Hale is also a former model and also Miss Jamaica. Before going to TCI she came to Cayamn in 1998 and rose to the top job in Cayman’s summary court and also acted as a Grand Court judge on occasion.

Ramsay-Hale is the daughter of the late Jamaican attorney Ian Ramsay, QC, widely regarded as one of the best lawyers in the history of the Caribbean and the first Jamaican lawyer to become Queen's Counsel.

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  1. Cleon says:

    I love watching people fighting over petty things like nationality. Wish I had more than 2 minutes to read more comments but I have better things to do!

     

    Congrats to the Judge!

  2. Cay123 says:

    As a Caymanian, Ms. Ramsey is a true Caymanian at heart. We guys in Cayman call her "Ms. Ramsey." And I don't care where she comes from, I can look into her eyes and know she is a true Caymanian who care for the people of the Cayman Islands, stands up for Justice, she makes hard decisions that some men can't make, and she has a strong faith in Almighty God (a trademark of being a grassroot Jamaican!).

    I recall one day Ms. Ramsey came to me and greet me alongside the road and ask me how my mother and family was doing, she saw my head was down, I was lost in thought, but she approach me with compassion, spoke with me about God, excelling, and encouraging me … this was years ago. This was on the streets in George Town. I never will forget her mannerism and approach. Sometime it is easy to judge people by what they say, but by what they do, leaves a greater impression! This was years ago and now look where Ms. Ramsey-Hale now!  She lives by example.  It is such women like Ms Ramsey that turn men into men!  When I was a boy my grandmother had a sharp tongue. My grandfather was bigger than her, but she was cultured, spoke, and was a woman of faith and action… thats what made her strong. I never will forget my grandmother. There was nobody like her – not even my mother!  I may forgotten her words, but how she treated me left an impression on me for a life time. Such women is what make men! 

    Cayman is sinking because the men have lost their responsibility!  The basic responsibility of leadership in the home!  They have chose to be men that linger in clubs, bars, and on the sofa… no more men of action … no more men that want to listen to what their love ones tell them. Highminded and all about satisfying themselves. It is sad. And I have nothing against women leading, but it is a shame that they HAVE TO LEAD!  Women are outdoing the men and Cayman is going to lose much of its leadership-role in the Caribbean if this trend continues. Fathers need to spend more time with their sons. All of these things Ms Ramsey know very well. Sometimes you need women to do what men do for the men to wake up!  Women have their place – but men too. If men don't lead out in the state, it isleft to the women, and then what happens to the children at home, what happens to structure and stability?  Children deserve both parents to make their lives happy.

    Ms. Ramsey I know you were a victim of crime yourself and God allowed such things to happen to you to make you into a better person. No one is perfect and thank God for that because we would fail if we try to do it by ourselves. But with God's grace, will, and providence I know you will continue to excel. He knows what best. May God bless you always, % 

  3. Anonymous says:

    Cayman love you, Judgie!! Congrats and hurry back soon!!!

  4. Anonymous says:

    To 22:24;          So what if she has Cayman Status?  What is your point? She now heads up the judiciary in Turks and has left the Cayman Status with you to worry about.  You have a very bad mind towards the Jamaicans. At the end of each day, we are all one people with two arms and two feet with red blood running through our veins and one head on top of our torso.  No point of bashing the Jamaicans with the Cayman Status. What about "One Love, One Heart, Let's get together and feel alright". Cho man.

  5. Michel says:

    Congratulations Ms. Margaret on your new post. It would be great if my son Michael and a few of his steel band of the good days go to play in. T.C.I.along with your daugher. We miss you both. God bless, Michel Lemay and Family.

  6. Pheloff M' Byke-Bizarro says:

    Ramsay-Hale left Cayman because she was not afraid to speak the truth. Not everyone likes that.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Another proud Jamaican constantly referring to her motherland who doesen't live in Jamaica.

    • Whodatis says:

      Hmmm … sounds a lot like many of the daily posters right here on CNS – and I am not referring to those of Jamaican ancestry.

      In fact, there is one particular nationality that appears to suffer from a massive affliction of the condition you are describing.

      I'm just sayin' …

      • Anonymous says:

        I'll take my motherland that financially supports much of the Cayman Islands, to Jamaica, that drains much of the circulating cash in Cayman back to Jamaican families. 

        • Whodatis says:

          Well hello there "Squealing Pig". So nice to hear from you.

          What and where exactly is this phantom "motherland" of yours that "financially supports much of the Cayman Islands"?

          I eagerly await your reply.

          Sincerely,

          Whodatis

          • Anonymous says:

            If you don't know, you really are lost as to who pumps money into your derivative economy. but go on trying to get your independence, would love to see the cayman dollar represent what is actually produced here, which is close to nothing. 

            • Whodatis says:

              "Independence" you say?

              Ok, now that we see your angle it begs the question … why are you even on CNS posting about Cayman?

              Shouldn't you be focused on fighting to maintain the"union" of the "United" Kingdom?

              You know, the same kingdom that is to this day being bombed by its IRA-te (hee hee) citizens to the west and that is facing a real threat of cessation to the north?

              Not to worry tho – the sheep in the south-west corner appear quite content with the status quo.

              Actually, you don't have to answer my initial question – I'll do so for you. You are on here because bullying and threatening tiny island-nations of 30,000 native population is the only relevance your beloved country has in the world today. That and being the loyal fetch-dog of the USA.

              Deuces,

              Whodatis

              • Anonymous says:

                I'm posting because having lived here for over 20 years and having witnessed how unproductives like yourslf who have taken over the Island and been placed in positions of power are turing this once respected island into a joke.

        • Caymaican says:

          Who cares about Cayman – Jamaica and motherland ????  …. success or failure has nothing to do with where you're from. IT IS YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL! 

          • Anonymous says:

            Come back to me after you work in a place where after a few Jamaicans get promoted, all of a sudden most of your new coworkers are Jamaican, and see if you are as naive about how pockets of over emphasized nationality do not affect your advancement in the same organization. 

            • Caymaican says:

              It is still up to you as a person. Being outnumbered has nothing to do with being successful and able to get along with your co-workers and employer. Don't think small – think big!

          • Anonymous says:

            In an ideal world, yes. If you haven't noticed we don't live in one.

      • Anonymous says:

        Yes, Cayman got trubble whodatis…big trubble…

  8. Anonymous says:



    Congrats.  I do hope when our good CJ Mr. Smellie retires that you are selected for the job.  Well done and most deserving!

  9. Anonymous says:

    My JUDGE

  10. Anonymous says:

    Congratulation to our beautiful and brilliant  Spotts Newlands neighbour. I could never forget you for your kindness. May God abundantly bless you and I know that one day you will be back, only hope that you will be back to our neighbourhood. We LOVE you.

  11. Anonymous says:

    Goh dey Ramsey!

  12. Anonymous says:

    Congrats Judgy.!!!.We love you…Just too bad you can't be our Chief Justice…

  13. Anonymous says:

    Well done Chief Justice in waiting.

    • Anonymous says:

      I hope for her sake she is back soon because T & C is the pits. A  terrible place with more corrupt politicans than almost any country in the world. Racist, unfrienly and about everything wrong  tht makes ita horible plae to live.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Congrations are in order for this wonderful person.  I hope one of these days she will return to Cayman.  The outstanding things she did while here we have to thank her.   I wish her a great future.

  15. Anonymous says:

    Congrats Margaret, you deserve it……we are now waiting on you to win the Miss T&C beauty contest…you deserve that too. 🙂

     

  16. Anonymous says:

    Congrats Ms. Ramsay-Hale.  I am very happy for you.  You are the best and we miss you in Cayman.  Hopefully one day you will return.

  17. Anonymous says:

    Way to go Judgie!  I guess this means you'll never come back here to work though 🙂

  18. Anonymous says:

    Way to go Judgie! Congrats!

  19. Sold paradise and put up a parking lot? says:

    A talent lost for Cayman- can we plead for her return someday?  

    • Anonymous says:

      Why would she want to come back to Cayman??  Had her house shot up? luckily she wasn't in it.  same ones who shot up her house are in northward now posting on FB

  20. Anonymous says:

    Congratulations my Jamaican sista.

    • Anonymous says:

      Same ting me say! Jamaican sista dat wid di Caymanian Status. Nex she goin have Turks status too!

  21. Anonymous says:

    Congratulations Margaret. Well deserved. It must feel so good to be recognized for your hard work. Sorry Cayman did not see your worth. We miss you.

  22. MEM says:

    Congratulations Ms. Ramsay! A truly amazing woman!

  23. Sharaine Chin says:

    Congratulations to my good friend, Judge Ramsey-Hale.  Well done.

  24. MessUp says:

    Well well well … a Caymanian takes the highest position in TCI !

    Meanwhile … employers here try so hard to keep the Caymanians down from getting high positions … say they are lazy, and these same employers manipulate the system to hire their own or poor expats so they could pay them chicken fee salaries … hello …anybody home!  ðŸ™‚

    • anonymous says:

      Obviously, the way forward to self development is to move to a different jurisdiction. You should try it sometime. 

      • Caymaican says:

        If I am born here, my family is here, why should I be pressured to move somewhere else to live a  decent life ???  That's a bit cold and indifferent to say that someone should just pack their bags and leave their home country to a foreign place they know nothing about.  

    • Anonymous says:

      She's not caymanian she's Jamaican!

  25. Whodatis says:

    Well deserved.

    She is one exceptional human being. Ridiculously beautiful, hard as nails, super intelligent but humble enough to take the time to listen … so long as you come correct.

    (As one poor local chap discovered circa 2000. That legendary tear-down is now a part of Caymanian folklore, lol!! Word of that incident spread quickly throughout the community and from then on everyone knew – you don't ramp wit' Ramsay!)

    Cheers to you Judge! (In case you're keeping tabs on your former peeps.)

    🙂

    • Anonymous says:

      The comment about her looks was typically neanderthal.  You should move into the 20th century, it would be progress.

      • Whodatis says:

        (Sigh)

        In addition to mine there at least 3 other references to Judge Ramsay's looks. However, somehow you managed to miss those and only saw Whodatis', right?

        You people are just too adorable.

  26. Anonymous says:

    Congratulations Ms. Ramsey-Hale.  One day I hope to see your return to Cayman.  The women of Cayman miss you dearly.