HSM LAW
HSM in The Legal 500 Caribbean 2026 Rankings
The HSM Group was featured recently in the Legal 500 2026 Caribbean rankings. HSM Chambers, a full-service law firm, received rankings across multiple practice areas for their expertise in the Cayman Islands and are highlighted below with some of Legal Read more +
Keep Calm and Carry On – Proposed Changes to Cayman’s Immigration Act
With the publishing on Friday (17 October 2025) of the proposed new Immigration Bill, numerous clients have sought advice/reassurance that they will not be adversely affected by any proposed changes. Like with any change in legislation, there will be those Read more +
Cayman Islands Immigration Update – September 2025
Recently there have been a number of decisions by the Deputy Governor’s Office to deny individuals applications for Naturalisation. Those decisions have fallen into two distinct categories. Firstly, those applicants who are students outside of the Cayman Islands and are yet Read more +
HSM Articled Clerk, Merary Eden, Called to Cayman Islands Bar
Merary Eden successfully completed her articles at HSM and is now a qualified attorney having been called to the Cayman Islands Bar on 16 September 2025. Merary’s admission was moved by HSM Partner, Alastair David, who summarised her qualifications for Read more +
Aspects of Law Relating to Border Control Found to be Incompatible with Bill of Rights
On 8 October 2020, the Court of Appeal of the Cayman Islands, affirmed the earlier Judgment of Williams J in finding that Section 82 of the Immigration Law (2015 Revision) and Section 109 of the Customs and Border Control Law, 2018 are incompatible with the Cayman Islands Bill of Rights.
The Judgment in the case of Ellington v Chief Immigration Officer, in which Mr Alastair David of HSM Chambers represented Mr Ellington both before the Grand Court and Court of Appeal of the Cayman Islands made it clear that the previous Law in respects to Prohibited Immigrants and its current incarnation are incompatible with the Bill of Rights and in particular the right to the family and private life.
It is hoped that this decision will lead to a much needed change in the Law which will lead to clarity in how the relevant authorities deal with Prohibited Immigrants. The Court of Appeal noted with some concern that there are no directives or rules governing Prohibited Immigrants and it is hoped that this will also be addressed shortly. Furthermore, it is also hoped that at the same time thoughts can be given to amending other sections of the Immigration Law which may be incompatible with the Bill of Rights.
Click here to read more details on The Effect of Ellington v Chief Immigration Officer of the Cayman Islands.