Judicial Administration

The Legal Advisory Council

The Legal Advisory Council was set up by the Legal Practitioners Law (Law 9 of 1969) section 19. It is provided thereby that it shall comprise: (a) the Chief Justice; (b) the Attorney General or a legal practitioner in the public service nominated by the Attorney General; and (c) two attorneys at law in private practice who are the respective heads of the Caymanian Bar Association and the Cayman Islands Law Society or their nominees. The Director of Legal Studies acts as Secretary to the Council.

The LAC is responsible for setting the standards for legal education in the Cayman Islands.

In carrying out these obligations, the LAC is responsible for ensuring that the academic standards of the Law School, among other things, meet international requirements for the practice of law in the Cayman Islands. The academic programme for the LL.B. is delivered in conjunction with the University of Liverpool, and the programme for the professional qualification course is delivered in conjunction with external invigilators.

The broad functions of the LAC are specified in section 20 (1) of the Law as being to advise the Governor (in Cabinet) who, after consultation with the Legal Advisory Council, may make arrangements for the provision of (a) a system of legal education and practical training leading to local qualification for enrolment as an attorney at law; and (b) a system of law reporting.

The current members of the Legal Advisory Council are as follows:

  1. Honourable Dr. Anthony Smellie, QC, Chief Justice;
  2. Honourable Samuel Bulgin, QC, Attorney General;
  3. Mr. Wayne Panton (Walkers) President, Caymanian Bar Association;
  4. Mr. Charles Quin, QC, (Quin & Hampson), President Cayman Islands Law Society.

Mr. Mitchell Davies is the current Secretary to the Council.