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Cayman Islands (British Overseas Territory)

 Flag of Cayman Islands

Last reviewed: 13 November 2009

Country information

POLITICS

Constitutional Status

Cayman Islands form a British Overseas Territory with a large measure of self-government. The Governor retains responsibility for the civil service, defence, external affairs and internal security. The present constitution, which came into effect in 1972, provides for a system of government headed by a Governor, a Cabinet and a Legislative Assembly. Unlike other Caribbean Overseas Territories there is no Chief Minister, but a Leader of Government Business. The Legislative Assembly comprises the Speaker, who acts as President, 3 official members (the Chief Secretary, the Financial Secretary and the Attorney General) and 15 elected members. The Cabinet consists of the Governor as Chairman, 3 official members and 5 members drawn from the elected members of the Assembly. As Ministers, the 5 elected members of the Cabinet have direct responsibility for government portfolios.

A new Cayman Islands Constitution was agreed in February 2009, following a constitutional review which began in 2001. The new Constitution, which includes for the first time a Bill of Rights, was accepted by the people of the Cayman Islands in a referendum held on 20 May. The Constitution was subsequently approved by the Privy Council on 10 June, and came into force on 6 November.

Recent Political Developments

The last elections were held on 20 May 2009. The opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) won 9 of the 15 seats in the Legislative Assembly against the incumbent People's Progressive Movement (PPM), who kept five seats. The one successful independent candidate elected to join the UDP. The results therefore constitute a reversal of the 2005 election, when the then UDP administration was voted out, with the parties taking 5 and 10 seats respectively.

Elections

The next elections are due to be held in 2014.

Government

Governor's Office

Governor: HE Stuart Jack CVO
Head of Governor’s Office: Steve Moore
Staff Officer: Andy Holbrook
PA/HE Governor: Mandy Heffield

Governor’s Office
Suite 202 Second Floor
The Smith Road Centre
154 Smith Road
George Town
Grand Cayman
Tel: 00 1 345 949 7900
Fax: 00 1 345 949 4131

Government Ministers

  • Leader of Government Business and Minister for Financial Services, Tourism and Development: The Hon McKeeva Bush OBE JP
  • Minister for Education, Training and Employment: Hon Rolston Anglin
  • Minister for District Administration, Works and Gender Affairs: Hon Julianna O’Connor-Connolly  
  • Minister for Community Affairs and Housing: Hon Mike Adam  
  • Minister for Health, Environment, Youth, Sports and Culture: Hon Mark Scotland 

Official Members of Legislative Assembly

  • Financial Secretary: The Hon Kenneth Jefferson, JP 
  • Attorney General: The Hon Samuel Bulgin, JP 
  • Chief Secretary: The Hon George AM McCarthy OBE JP

HUMAN RIGHTS

Overseas Territories are expected to comply with their obligations under the international human rights instruments which have been extended to them. The following major Conventions apply in Cayman Islands:

  • European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)
  • International Covenant on Economic and Social Rights (ICESCR)
  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
  • UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT)
  • UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
  • UN Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)

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Contacts

Cayman Islands, George Town, Governor's Office

Address:


Postal Address:
Governor's Office
PO Box 10261
Grand Cayman
CAYMAN ISLANDS KY1-1003

Physical Address:
Governor's Office
Suite 202
Second Floor
The Smith Road Centre
154 Smith Road
George Town
Grand Cayman  
Cayman Islands

Fax:

(+1) 345 945 4131 General

Email: staffoff@candw.ky

Office hours:

1330-1800/1900-2200 GMT
0830-1700 Local Time

Website: http://ukincayman.fco.gov.uk/en/