July 20, 2007 -- The Cayman Islands will be the venue for the Eighth Annual Conference of Caribbean Heads of Judiciary to be held in Grand Cayman next week. This is the first time that the conference is being held in Cayman.

Cayman's Chief Justice, the Hon. Anthony Smellie, will host the heads of judiciary representing 17 Caribbean nations and the Caribbean Court of Justice from 25 to 27 July at the conference, to be held at the Ritz Carlton.

"The purpose of the meeting is to discuss matters of common concern, and to benefit from each other's experience as well as to share innovations and changes in practice in the various jurisdictions," Chief Justice Smellie said.

The theme of the conference's plenary during the open session on Thursday 26 July is "The Role of the Judiciary in Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development". Participants in the open session include His Excellency the Governor Mr. Stuart Jack, CVO, and the Leader of Government Business, the Hon. Kurt Tibbetts, both of whom will address the gathering.

Guest speakers are the Hon. Justice Thomas Braidwood, QC, a former Appeal Court Judge in British Columbia, Canada, and Ms Lisa-Ann Hurlston, Sustainable Development Coordinator in the Department of Environment, who will outline Cayman's new initiatives in environmental protection and the challenges ahead.

Chief Justice Smellie explained the rationale behind the theme for the plenary session: "Environmental issues have become so vitally important worldwide that it is imperative for all to have a heightened awareness. The judiciary has the obligation to be aware of international environmental standards as well as local laws and, where local laws allow, to apply the principles in decision making processes, particularly in reference to international conventions."

The Chief Justice said Mr. Justice Braidwood will talk about the need for enhanced awareness and provide greater insights into international conventions that have gained special importance in today's world.

A key topic for the heads of judiciary during their sessions will be ways of dealing with delays in the criminal justice system. This is becoming a topic of major concern in the Cayman Islands and larger jurisdictions constantly grapple with how to expedite cases and conclude them in a timely manner.

Other topics will include judicial reforms in the Cayman Islands, to be presented by Chief Justice Smellie.

Interested heads of judiciary will tour the "electronic" court located in Kirk House. This essential facility of the Grand Court plays a pivotal role in the court's ability to conduct in a timely manner both criminal and civil proceedings. These facilities have also been used for taking of evidence from parties located physically in other jurisdictions during trial proceedings or from juveniles or threatened witnesses physically sitting in another location. The electronic court room will feature prominently in the commercial division, part of the proposed specialised divisions of the Grand Court, plans for which are now underway.

The delegates will agree on a position paper at the final session of the conference.

The Governor will host the delegates, the Cabinet and other guests at a dinner reception at Government House. Heads of judiciary and guests will also be hosted at dinner receptions by the Chief Justice and Mrs. Jacqueline Smellie, and jointly by the Cayman Islands Law Society and the Caymanian Bar Association.

Conference attendees will gain further insights into local environmental initiatives with a tour of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, organised by District Commissioner Ernie Scott and his staff. They will visit a number of conservation sites on the two islands, including the museums.

Source: gov.ky