From: Commission for Standards in Public Life

The Commission for Standards in Public Life (“the Commission”) is pleased with the recent statement by the Hon. Premier Alden McLaughlin on 31st January in the Legislative Assembly confirming the intention to bring the Standards in Public Life Law into force in the very near future, with regulations to follow shortly thereafter.

Commission Chairman Rosie Whittaker-Myles advised, “The members of the Commission for Standards in Public Life are encouraged by the recent announcement by the Hon. Premier of a commencement date for the Standards in Public Life Law (the“Law”). As the general public is aware, it has been more than 5 years since the Law was passed in the Legislative Assembly and more than 3 years since its amendment. The Commission has had input in the draft Regulations and we expect that these will be finalised soon. The making of declarations to the Commission by ‘persons in public life’ identified in Schedule 1 of the Law is an important feature of the Law. Furthermore, the Commission will liaise with the Registrar of the Register of Interests, (Register of Interests Law, 1996) for the handing over of records as required under section 36(2) of the Law.”

At this juncture the Commission is actively working on the necessary preparatory work to ensure the submissions of declarations under the Law for the first time will be seamless. In addition, the Commission is formulating the communications strategy which will include the issuance of guidance notes and the like to ensure the relevant individuals are aware of and adhere to the Law by disclosing any conflicts of interests or perceived conflicts of interests to ensure the maintenance of the ‘highest standards of integrity and competence in public life’. Such communications will be widely circulated and uploaded to the Commission’s website.

The Commission is an independent body established under section 117 of the 2009 Constitution to enhance democracy in the Cayman Islands and to ensure that there is sufficient oversight of the public sector. To obtain key information in relation to the Standards in Public Life Law the Commission invites the public to visit the Commissions website at or contact the http://www.standardsinpubliclifecommission.ky Commissions Secretariat at 244-3685.