Veteran lawyer dies peacefully at aged 92

(CNS): A prominent member of Cayman’s legal profession, Charles Adams, OBE, JP, died peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Thursday morning at the age of 92. The founder of local law firm, Charles Adams and company, now Charles Adams, Ritchie 
and Duckworth, he was also the founding Chairman of Cayman Islands National Museum and had a great love for and understanding of the heritage and culture of the Cayman Islands. Primarily known for his law practice, which focused on local land, planning and estate matters, Adams served the community as the secretary of the Cayman Islands Veterans Association for 27 years. 

The funeral service for Adams will be held at the Elmslie Memorial Church on Tuesday, 6 August, at 3:00pm. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cayman Hospice Care or the Cayman Islands Veterans Association. As a mark of respect to the Chairman Emeritus of Jacques Scott Group, all their locations will be closed from 12:30pm on Tuesday.

"It is often easy to forget the generosity and rigor of key individuals who have given their time and resources towards the betterment of our community," said Gonzallo Jalles, CEO of Cayman Finance, on hearing the news about Adams' passing. "On behalf of Cayman Finance, I wish to acknowledge the contributions of Mr. Adams and his influence in the development of the financial services industry over the past few decades.

"Mr. Adams was clearly distinguished as an unwavering professional who helped build one of the country's largest economic sectors and whose accomplishments in the legal and banking industries, as well as the community in general, will not be forgotten,”  he added.

Having arrived in the country in 1966 as manager of the first trust company on island, Scotia Trust Company, Mr. Adams subsequently founded his own law firm in 1976 and was later the Senior Partner of Cayman Finance member firm, Charles Adams, Ritchie & Duckworth.

“Mr. Adams was clearly distinguished as an unwavering professional who helped build one of the country's largest economic sectors and whose accomplishments in the legal and banking industries, as well as the community in general, will not be forgotten.”

Adams came to Cayman in 1966 from Jamaica as manager of Scotia Trust Company, the first trust company in the Cayman Islands. He established the Jacques Scott Group in 1972. Then, in 1976, Adams founded his law firm, Charles Adams and company, now Charles Adams, Ritchie 
and Duckworth. 

A justice of the peace since 1987, he was also a founding member of the Legal Advisory Council and sat as a magistrate in the Summary Courts. He served as president of the Cayman Islands Law Society and helped to establish the Cayman Islands Law School. 

Adams was also the islands’ sole recipient in 2007 of an Order of the British Empire honour (OBE). 

As well as his involvement with the museum and the associated law, he was involved with the National Trust and surveys of wrecks in Cayman waters by the Institution of Nautical Archaeology, and was the founder of the Goldfield Foundation, which brought an original Caymanian turtling schooner back to Cayman after it was discovered in Seattle.