The Cayman Islands Judiciary was represented at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (CMJA), held in Kingston, Jamaica, from 20–24 September under the theme “Sustainable Justice: For Today, For Tomorrow, For All.”
The conference brought together more than 430 delegates from 44 countries to consider issues affecting the administration of justice across the Commonwealth, including judicial independence, access to justice, international law, judicial standards and the rule of law.
Hon. Justice Richard Williams, Judge of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands and President of the CMJA, addressed delegates at the Opening Ceremony on 21 September.
Justice Williams was elected President of the CMJA in September 2025 and is serving a three-year term, having previously represented the Caribbean Region on the Association’s Governing Council as a member and Vice-President.
In his opening remarks, Justice Williams recognised the efforts of the Judiciary of Jamaica, the Government, the local organising committee and the wider community in delivering the conference as Jamaica continued its recovery following Hurricane Melissa. He also thanked delegates for their support, noting the participation of representatives from 44 countries.
The Cayman Islands was further represented by Her Honour Mrs Angelyn Hernandez, Chief Magistrate of the Summary Court, who co-facilitated a session examining the relationship, and at times apparent conflict, between parental rights and the rights of children.
In her presentation, “Parents’ Rights and Children’s Rights,” Chief Magistrate Hernandez considered the issue through the lens of family law, human rights and the judicial responsibility to protect children. She explored the development of the child as an individual bearer of rights and the task facing courts when parental rights and the rights and interests of children appear to conflict.
Drawing on the Cayman Islands legal framework and local jurisprudence, the Chief Magistrate examined how courts approach questions involving parental responsibility, the welfare of the child and a child’s wishes and feelings. She highlighted the importance of hearing and considering a child’s views while recognising that those views do not, by themselves, determine the outcome of a case.
Using Cayman relocation cases, the presentation illustrated the careful balancing exercise required of courts when considering the rights and interests of parents and children. The Chief Magistrate noted that these questions arise in a range of decisions concerning children, including education, medical treatment, religious upbringing, residence and contact, relocation, discipline and protection from harm.
Read Chief Magistrate Hernandez’s presentation, “Parents’ Rights and Children’s Rights”.
The CMJA brings together judicial officers from across the Commonwealth to support judicial independence, education in the law and administration of justice, and greater awareness of international law and access to justice.