Archive for December, 2008
Foundation wants to protect Scott-Roberts’ name
(CNS): The Board of Directors of the Estella Scott-Roberts Foundation is requesting that anyone using the name of the late Estella Scott-Roberts for causes and awards should obtain the permission of the foundation. Chairperson Rayle Roberts explained that the Foundation was very keen to ensure that his late wife’s memory.
The Estella Scott-Roberts Foundation, a newly established non-profit company, aims to continue Scott-Roberts’ community work by focusing on areas such as non- violence, women’s and gender issues, and other social issues as deemed necessary, and its are particularly anxious to protect the use of the name of the late Estella Scott-Roberts.
The Foundation is aware of some community initiatives, as well as awards, which have already started or were issued in Scott-Roberts’ memory. However, they are concerned that there may be more activities or awards being planned in Scott-Roberts’ name that are unknown to the Foundation.
Rayle Roberts, Chairperson of the Estella Scott-Roberts Foundation, explained that the Foundation was very keen to ensure that his late wife’s memory, name, and image are not misused or improperly associated with any activities, awards, or initiatives which do not reflect Estella’s beliefs or her life’s work.
The Foundation will grant approval to use Scott-Roberts’ name in support of any project or award which reflects the objectives of the Foundation, namely – to promote a life free of violence, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
Any entity or persons planning to or who are already using Scott-Roberts’ name in association with any project, award or activity should first obtain approval to do so from the Estella Scott-Roberts Foundation by writing to PO Box 84 Grand Cayman KY1-1501 CAYMAN ISLANDS or by emailing esrfoundation@gmail.com.
The irony of politics: transparency is for others
Those in the community who value the democratic process in action will be disappointed and saddened by the way in which the Legislative Assembly last week enacted the amendments to the Tax Information Authority Law (TIAL).
Remarkably few were aware of this as no Bill was published and available in the official Gazette (not even on the GIS website), there was no broad public consultation and even the usually alert media seems to have been caught napping. Why this should have happened is puzzling and concerning.
The amendments are designed principally to permit cross border exchange of information with foreign tax agencies (as yet to be identified). This goal is desirable in itself and (combined also with formal bilateral agreements and privacy safeguards) is also much needed as part of Cayman’s efforts to fend off the threats to the financial services industry from various international quarters such as the OECD, EU and the USA. Whether these amendments contain the right privacy safeguards and yet will also prove to be the silver bullet to pacify Cayman’s foreign attackers, time will tell.
Doubtless, the Government proceeded with the best of intentions. But the first irony is that a Government elected overwhelmingly based on its commitment to transparent government and good governance has fallen victim to the samelapses as many of its predecessors. The second irony in this case is that the amendments to the TIAL are designed to enhance transparency to meet international standards, yet the process followed by the Government was anything but transparent.
Local legal text updated.
(CNS): Head of the Cayman Islands Law School’s Professional Practice Course, Deborah Barker Roye has updated her popular textbook, Civil Litigation in the Cayman Islands. Originally written in 2004, it explains the process of civil litigation in Cayman, referencing it to local laws, procedure and case judgments. The book was reprinted in 2007, but Barker Roye has now written a fully indexed second edition with important local legal updates.
The Cayman Islands Law School’s Academic Press publishes a number of books on local jurisprudence including and Simon Cooper’s a senior lecturer for the Professional Practice Course, is instrumental in publishing the school’s series of textbooks including his own book Conveyancing Law and Practice in the Cayman Islands, originally published in 2004 now second edition.
Receiving he copy of Barker Roye’s book Attorney Geenral Sam Bulgin said it was an import contribution to the local legal sector. “I am elated that the law faculty are enabling students to get a solid local grounding, thereby ensuring that demands by the Islands’ vibrant legal profession are locally met,” Bulgin added.
Clear and concise, the textbooks have also become a popular resource for local and visiting attorneys as well as the local judiciary, Director of Legal Studies Mitchell Davies said the Chief Justice wrote the foreword for two of Barker Roye’s books. The textbooks can be purchased at the Law School, located above Cayman National Bank’s downtown branch. For more information, contact the school on 945-0077 or www.lawschool.gov.ky.
Body confirmed as Cummings
(CNS): Investigating Officer, Chief Inspector Peter Kennett, has confirmed that the human remains which were found in the area of Moon Bay on Friday, 12 December, have been positively identified by a pathologist as those of Ian Hugh Cummings, who was lost at sea during a fishing trip on Wednesday, 10 December. “This is a terrible time for the family and our condolences go out to them,” said Kennett.
A search of the area by Marine and Air Support Units and foot patrols was conducted but had to be called off at 2:45 am on Thursday, 11 December, due to worsening weather conditions. The search resumed at first light by sea, in the air and on land, but there was no sight of him. Cummings body was eventually discovered in the Moon Bay area on 12 December by local divers who had volunteered to assist in the search.
Legal Aid faces overhaul
(CNS): With the wider publication of the Law Reform Commission’s report reviewing Cayman’s legal aid system, the public has until 15 January 2009 to comment on proposed changes to the system which would introduce controversial merits and means testing for applicants. Although the authors say by comparison to other jurisdictions Cayman’s legal aid costs are not unduly high, the goal is to make the system more efficient.
Always unpopular with elected officials as the policy is controversial and rarely a vote winner, a commission was established earlier this year to assess the situation regarding the country’s legal aid system to see if savings could be made. The commission made eight recommendations including the appointment of a legal aid administrator (public defender) whose role would be to help improve the current system’s efficiency.
It also suggests amending legal aid rules to specify who is eligible for legal aid; and recommends both merits and means tests. It further proposed creating a duty counsel service for all types of criminal offences to which legal aid applies. Duty counsel could help reduce costs by providing clients with legal advice about their options. For example, it could assist clients in identifying matters where guilty pleas are to be entered, and then represent them on such pleas as well.
The report shies away from making pro-bono work mandatory for local lawyers but does suggest encouraging and promoting voluntary legal assistance from the private sector as it would be an obvious way or reducing the government’s legal aid overheads
Although legislators have long complained about the high cost of legal aid and the fact that too many of the cases are conducted by overseas lead attorneys, when he tabled the report in September, Attorney General Samuel Bulgin said access to legal aid is an integral aspect of the administration of justice in the Cayman Islands. He added that a modern, transparent system of legal aid enables access to justice to persons in need and enhances the Islands’ image as a sophisticated, democratic and stable jurisdiction. Defending the system, he said that the commission had found the present system of provision of legal aid services in general offers good value for money.
“Though it may not necessarily resulting in reduced costs, the commission’s view is that a more transparent and efficient administration of legal aid could serve to more readily demonstrate that funds are being appropriately spent, thereby satisfying the objective of accountability inherent in the legislators’ concerns,” Bulgin said.
Legal aid is offered according to law to defendants, charged with specified criminal offences such as burglary, rape and murder, who cannot afford lawyers to present their cases in court. It is also provided in civil cases to those unable to bring or defend a legal action for lack of funds.
The report is available on the Legislative Assembly’s website www.cila.ky, under House Business and Presentation of Papers and of Reports.
Tax law changes pave way for wider revelations
(CNS): Amendments passed in the Legislative Assembly on Friday, 19 December, to the Tax Information Authority Law will allow the Cayman Island government to give more information relating to business conducted here in regards to tax matters in the countries of origin of those involved. The changes will enable Cayman to enter into bi-lateral tax agreements with other jurisdictions to reveal more information regarding accusations of tax avoidance.
As a result of various international obligations, the Cayman Islands already provide information regarding tax information to other jurisdictions. These amendments widen the scope of information including documents and correspondence. The primary purpose of the bill however, is to allow the government to enter into treaties with other countries without falling foul of the country’s strict privacy laws.
The law has raised controversy on both sides of the debate as some say it has been enacted too quickly and does not go far enough and others have raised concerns about where information about local off-shore businesses would be revealed and to whom .
Given the international climate and issues relating to offshore tax havens, the amendments could go some way to help Cayman silence some of the critics and demonstrate the islands’ strong commitment to meeting all international obligations.
Minister with responsibility for the offshore sector, Alden McLaughlin, recently said in the wake of criticisms that Cayman had already established that the financial services sector was not built around tax evasion. There had been issues regarding the establishment of treaties with some countries as he said they tend to be a one-way street, with Cayman giving everything and receiving no business benefit in return.
Tim Ridley, the former Chair of The Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, noted that the problem was a failure of Cayman to keep up the Tax Information Exchange Agreement talks with onshore jurisdictions. “In 1998, when the OECD first prepared its list of non cooperative tax havens, the Cayman Islands narrowly avoided being listed because it gave an advance commitment to cooperate by eliminating what were perceived to be unfair competitive tax practices, by enhancing transparency and by entering into exchange of information agreements on tax matters,” said Ridley.
Since then, Cayman entered into the first Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the USA and implemented the EU Savings Directive. But other negotiations have been stalled and Ridley believes Cayman needs to renew its efforts in order to stay in the OECD’s good books.
However, McLaughlin has said that the negotiations have been one-sided and Cayman will not sign deals that give the jurisdication no benefit. “We have no difficulty with the concept of effective cooperation in tax matters,” he said recently in the local press. “Our difficulty arises where not only is such cooperation a one–way street, but where we are also expected to stand in the middle of that street and be run over.”
With a deterioration recently in negotiations over Tax Information Exchange Agreements and Cayman’s failure to make it into the most recent ‘green list’ of what the OECD sees as jurisdictions following the rules, the Minister said it was disappointing.
Whether the new law will pave the way for more effective agreements remains to be seen and a number of those in the financial sector have already raised concerns that the amendments have been passed with a lack of transparency and discussion.
Atlantic Air says it is back in service
(CNS): In the last few weeks several hundred passengers seeking to fly to Honduras have been stranded in the Cayman Islands because of the failure of Atlantic Airlines to operate its regular service to and from the central American country. The airline has now announced it is back in business despite what it described as misinformation by its potential competitors.
Following the airlines suspension of flights to La Cebia both Rollins Air a charter operator and local flag carrier Cayman Airways have both being looking at ways to fill the vacuum created by what was believed to be Atlantis’s demise. However, Atlantic Air asserts its demise has been greatly exaggerated. The airline said that despite the rumours raised by what it called “its intentioned competitors attempting to mis-inform the public in the hopes of absconding with routes traditionally dominated by Atlantic Airlines”, it was back in business.
“Given the market stress in our industry in the past few months, Atlantic Airlines International decided to take the initiative and re-design itself to better serve its loyal customers and the public at large,” said (Bill) A. Lara VP Planning & Marketing.
“Our commitment to excellence and foresight forced us through some abrupt changes that may have inconvenienced some of our passengers as we re-adjusted for the times. And it is for these inconveniences that we apologize to our customer base.”
He added that the airline’s efforts had paid off handsomely and that with the upgraded services, routes and equipment being implemented by Atlantic Airlines during 2009, it would be able to serve the public for many years to come.
Thanking the staff in Grand Cayman, Lara said they had endured some difficult days.
The trouble began when an angry crowd gathered outside both the Atlantic Airlines offices and the Legislative Assembly demanding assistance to get home after rumours that Atlantic had gone bankrupt began to circulate. Rollins Air and Cayman Airways were drawn into the dispute as neither airline seemed able to help get the passengers home because of issues withpaperwork and documentation. CAL is now considering the route but has had its hands burned flying in to La Ceiba before.
Lara said the airline welcomes professional competition such as that of Cayman Airlines and their excellent staff. “Their professional attitude has prompted us to fully support their Honduras operation. And we are also very happy to announce that Atlantic Airlines International will back Cayman Airways’ application to operate to the Honduran Government, at any time now or in the future that they may choose to apply,” he said.
Lara also noted that Atlantic Airlines International is not affiliated in any way nor has any kind or business relationship with Rollins Air. “Both Atlantic Airlines International and Rollins Air are distinct, separate and, completely unrelated corporations,” Lara added.
Clifford goes to Washington
(CNS): Washington DC already provides a large percentage of visitors to the Cayman Islands, the Minister of Tourism told an audience in the US capital before they boarded the first direct flight by Cayman Airways. He said Cayman had confidence that the new route from the National Flag carrier would provide business opportunities for both places.
Launching the inaugural flight between Dulles and Owen Roberts International on 13 December, he said the addition of a direct, non-stop air service underscored the strategic importance of the north east corridor for the Cayman Islands. “The launch of this new route is a symbol of confidence in the potential business and tourism opportunities between Washington DC and the Cayman Islands,” he said.
"The importance of Washington DC is obvious. As the capital city in the western world – the DC area already provides a large percentage of our visitors to the Cayman Islands. This new route will simply enhance the business opportunities between the two locations and will make it easier for those persons who are traveling on business and who wish to bring their families with them to experience the warmth and tranquility of the Cayman Islands.”
Clifford was speaking at the end of a week-long the trip to Washington where he had been promoting the new route. He also met with the media in the region. In a taped segment for the morning news on WUSA-9, which aired on 21 December, Clifford spoke with Anchor Mike Walter on the importance of Cayman Airways’ new DC gateway, attractions on all three islands and more.
Cruise passenger dies diving
(CNS): A 57-year-old male cruise ship passenger from Oklahoma died on Thursday morning after getting into difficulty diving with a buddy off Grand Cayman. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) said it has now started an investigation.
The 911 Emergency Communications Centre received a call at approximately 10.55 am from a staff member of Divers Down who reported that an unconscious man was being brought to the West Bay Dock. Medics responded to the scene and transported the man to hospital. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead. Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department started an investigation and have found that the man, from Oklahoma, had been visiting the Cayman Islands on a cruise ship.
He and a friend had left the ship in the morning and rented air tanks from Divers Down. During the dive it appears the victim got into difficulty and passed out. He was brought to shore while CPR was conducted by his dive buddy. An investigation is underway by the RCIPS and officers send their condolences to the family of friends of the victim.
Anyone with information about crime taking place in the Cayman Islands should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling crime stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.
Operation Tempura rolls on
(CNS):
The new committee or group, according to Smith, consists of the Deputy Chief Secretary and Chief Officer for the Portfolio of Internal and External Affairs Donovan
Smith, who took up the senior post at the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) at the beginning of the month, said he wanted to redress as far as it ispossible the flow of information to the public but still said that in protracted sensitive enquiries delays in providing information are sometimes inevitable for what he said were valid reasons to protect the innocent or because there was nothing to say.
“Let there be no dubiety, in my role as Acting Commissioner of Police that my primary focus is to ensure that the RCIPS is given strong leadership and clear direction with a focus on service delivery and continuous improvement,” Smith added.
He said however that part of his job was responsibility for the team conducting the enquiry known as Operation Tempura which he said would still involve Acting Commissioner John Yates of the Metropolitan Police Service. He also said he would be updating the Governor Stuart Jack regularly. However, he obviously did not feel the same regarding the elected officials who had on Friday afternoon still not seen his statement regarding the formation of the SIAG.
In the statement Smith made no mention of the elected government representatives request for Bridger to leave and for Operation Tempura to be wound up.
He said that since arriving he had spent time with Bridger discussing the investigaiton. At his opening press briefing Smith said he was very familiar with Bridger having worked with him and Yates when he was with the Metropolitan Police.
“I have reviewed both the progress of the investigation and the way they conduct their business. I am satisfied that enquiries are being made with due diligence and speed and that the quality of the investigative work is to a very high standard,” he said. However Smith did not say how he reconciled that with the Chief Justice’s ruling in February this year and more recently the damning ruling of Sir Peter Cresswell which directly criticized the work of Bridger and his team calling it the “gravest abuse of process.”.
Although Smith said that he was working with the Solicitor General’s office and he hoped that this would assist in a speedy resolution he said investigations regarding the 3 September entry into Cayman Net News’ offices were still continuing. “I cannot set an exact timeframe because of matters out of our control; however I hope significant progress will be reported early in the new year. I can confirm that recently Chief Superintendent John Jones was interviewed in the Cayman Islands in the presence of his attorneys by members of the Tempura team,” Smith explained. “In respect of Stuart Kernohan, arrangements are being made with his legal representatives and officers from the Tempura team for him to be similarly interviewed.”
Smith then said a formal assessment of the other allegations of criminality within the RCIPS is due by the end of January and decisions on any further investigations and areas for improvement will then be made in light of the facts contained in the report. He did not explain however if this meant therefore that he saw the actions of Jones and Kernohan as criminal.
He said that the service was in the spotlight for the wrong reasons, but as serious allegations have been made he was determined to prove or disprove them.”The people of Cayman need to have confidence in the integrity of its Police Service,” Smith added. “I am still relatively new to the post but with the strong support of my senior staff, I believe we can make a difference to the way we do business and play our part in securing thesafety of the Cayman Islands.