Law Reform Commission

The Commission was established by the Law Reform Commission Act No. 6 of 2005 and commenced operation on 16th September, 2005.

In accordance with the Act, the Commission's mandate is to study and keep under constant review the statutes and other laws comprising the law of the Cayman Islands with a view to its systematic development and reform, including in particular – 

1. the modification of any branch of the law as far as that is practicable;
2. the elimination of anomalies in the law, the repeal of obsolete and unnecessary enactments and the simplification and modernisation of the law;
3. the development of new areas in the law with the aim of making them more responsive to the changing needs of Cayman Islands society; 
4. the adoption of new or more effective methods for the administration of the law and the dispensation of justice; and
5. the codification of the unwritten laws of the Cayman Islands.

The Commission, in the performance of its functions, may –

1. review and consider any proposals for the reform of the law which may be referred to it by any person or authority;
2. prepare and submit to the Attorney General from time to time, a programme for the study and examination of any branch of the law with a view to making recommendations for its improvement, modernisation and reform;
3. initiate and carry out or direct the initiation and carrying out of, studies and research necessary for the improvement and modernisation of the law;
4. undertake, pursuant to any such recommendation approved by the Attorney General, the formulation and preparation of drafts in the form of Bills or other instruments for consideration by the Cabinet and the Legislative Assembly;
5.  provide, at the instance of Government departments and other authorities concerned, advice, information and proposals for reform or amendment of any branch of the law; and
6. with the approval of the Attorney General appoint or empanel committees, whether from among members of the Commission or from among persons outside the Commission or both, to study and make recommendations to the Commission on any aspect of the law referred to it by the Commission.

The functions of the Commission are performed by seven Commissioners and three full time attorneys-at-law (the Director, Senior Legislative Counsel and Crown Counsel II), and a Legal Administrative Assistant. The Commission is a department of the Portfolio of Legal Affairs but acts independently in its review of matters. Its recommendations are based on its own research and analysis of proposed areas of reform submitted by stakeholders and by the public.

The Attorney General refers matters to the Commission but the Commission may also initiate and carry out studies and research necessary for the improvement and modernisation of any area of the law of the Cayman Islands based on comments from the public, interest groups or its own research.