The Government of Cayman Islands

Cayman Islands - Government

Based on the etymolgy of Cayman Islands, it was the islands' name comes from the native Carib word "caiman," describing the marine crocodiles living there. The Government system in this country is the parliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 6 districts; Bodden Town, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, East End, George Town, North Side, West Bay

National symbols

Green sea turtle.

The flag

The National flag of Cayman Islands has a blue field with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a crest with a pineapple, representing the connection with Jamaica, and a turtle, representing Cayman's seafaring tradition, above a shield bearing a golden lion, symbolizing Great Britain, below which are three green stars (representing the three islands) surmounting white and blue wavy lines representing the sea; a scroll below the shield bears the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS.

The National Anthem

Title	"Beloved Isle Cayman"
Lyric/music	Leila E. ROSS

note: adopted 1993; served as an unofficial anthem since 1930; as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, in addition to the local anthem, "God Save the King" is official (see United Kingdom)

More about the government of Cayman Islands

Constitution
Date of Independence	none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday	Constitution Day, the first Monday in July (1959)
Legal system	English common law and local statutes
International law organization participation
History	Several previous; latest approved 10 June 2009, entered into force 6 November 2009 (The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009)
Amendments	Amended 2016, 2020
Citizenship
Executive Branch
Chief of state	King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Jane OWEN (since 21 April 2023)
Head of government	Premier Juliana O'CONNOR-CONNOLLY (since 15 November 2023)
Cabinet	Cabinet selected from the Parliament and appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier
Elections/appointments	the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition appointed premier by the governor
Legislative branch
Description	Unicameral Parliament (21 seats; 19 members directly elected by majority vote and 2 ex-officio members - the deputy governor and attorney general - appointed by the governor; members serve 4-year terms)
Elections	Last held on 14 April 2021 (next to be held in 2025)
Election results	Percent of vote by party - independent 79.1%, PPM 19.6%; elected seats by party - independent 12, PPM 7; ex-officio members 2; composition - men 16, women 5, percentage women 23.8%
Judicial branch
Highest court(s)	Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and at least 2 judges); Grand Court (consists of the court president and at least 2 judges); note - appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
Judge selection and term of office	Court of Appeal and Grand Court judges appointed by the governor on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an 8-member independent body consisting of governor appointees, Court of Appeal president, and attorneys; Court of Appeal judges' tenure based on their individual instruments of appointment; Grand Court judges normally appointed until retirement at age 65 but can be extended until age 70
Subordinate courts	Summary Court
Diplomatic representation in the US
Diplomatic representation from the US
Embassy	None (overseas territory of the UK); consular services provided through the US Embassy in Jamaica