Lawmakers in the Cayman Islands have launched a bipartisan effort to amend the territory’s constitution to ensure that only Caymanian nationals are eligible to serve as Attorney General, the government’s highest-ranking legal adviser.
The proposed constitutional change is being spearheaded by Deputy Opposition Leader Kenneth Bryan, who filed a private member’s motion seeking to amend Section 56 of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009.
The motion has been seconded by government backbencher Julie Hunter, signaling support from both sides of Parliament for a proposal aimed at strengthening Caymanian representation in senior government positions.
The initiative comes ahead of the planned retirement of longtime Attorney General Samuel Bulgin, who has held the position since 2003 and is expected to step down in August 2027.
His upcoming departure has renewed discussions about succession planning and whether the territory’s top legal position should be reserved for qualified Caymanians.
Under the current constitutional framework, individuals who are not Caymanian may be appointed Attorney General. Bryan’s proposal seeks to change that provision by introducing a Caymanian status requirement for future appointments.
Supporters argue that the amendment would bring the Attorney General’s eligibility requirements into closer alignment with those governing other senior public offices, including elected Members of Parliament and the Deputy Governor, where Caymanian status is mandatory.
The opposition lawmaker has emphasized the importance of ensuring that qualified Caymanians have opportunities to occupy the territory’s most influential government positions.
The involvement of Hunter, a government backbencher, gives the proposal a bipartisan dimension and could help build wider parliamentary support for the constitutional amendment.
However, securing the necessary backing across Parliament will be critical to advancing the proposed changes.
The motion is expected to be debated during Parliament’s November 2026 sitting, when lawmakers will have an opportunity to examine the implications of restricting eligibility for the Attorney General’s office to Caymanians.
