Legal and Court System

The substantive law of the Cayman Islands is based on English common law with the addition of local statutes which have in many respects changed and updated the common law. Although it should also be noted that a few English statutes have been extended to the Cayman Islands by Orders in Council. The islands have a good legal and judicial system, constantly being advanced to meet the demands of an ever evolving society.

The courts system in the Cayman Islands is a simple one with practice and procedure based on English law. Minor criminal and civil cases are tried by a Stipendiary Magistrate sitting in the Summary Court. All serious crimes and most civil cases are tried by the Grand Court, which is presided over by the Chief Justice and Grand Court Judges permanently resident in the Islands.

Appeals lie from the Grand Court to the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal, which sits in Grand Cayman, and from there to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in England.