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Her Excellency the Governor Mrs. Jane Owen has announced that His Majesty the King has appointed Sir Anthony Smellie, KCMG, KC, former Chief Justice and current Justice of Appeal for the Cayman Islands and Bermuda, as a member of His Majesty’s Privy Council.

In this prestigious role, Sir Anthony will also be eligible to be invited to sit as a member of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, the highest appellate court for the Cayman Islands, other British Overseas Territories, and several Commonwealth nations, including The Bahamas, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mauritius.

Her Excellency extended her warmest congratulations to Sir Anthony on this historic achievement, stating:

“It is with great pleasure that I announce the appointment of Sir Anthony Smellie as one of His Majesty’s Privy Counsellors and as a member of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, the final appellate court for the Cayman Islands, the other British Overseas Territories and a number of Commonwealth Countries, including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas and Mauritius.

Sir Anthony served the Cayman Islands for over forty years, including nearly 25 years as our Chief Justice, and will bring his considerable judicial acumen and experience to this prestigious role. I extend my warmest wishes on this significant appointment and for his continued success.”

Chief Justice Ramsay-Hale also commended Sir Anthony on his appointment, saying:

“Sir Anthony’s appointment to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is a truly well-deserved recognition of his mastery of the law, his independence as a judge, his judicial leadership and his enormous contribution to the jurisprudence of the Cayman Islands.

On behalf of the Judiciary of the Cayman Islands, I extend our warmest congratulations to Sir Anthony.”

Lord Reed, President of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, welcomed Sir Anthony’s appointment adding:

 “I extend my warmest congratulations on Sir Anthony Smellie’s appointment as a member of His Majesty’s Privy Council. I am delighted that I will be able to invite Sir Anthony to sit on the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. As the recently retired Chief Justice of the Cayman Islands preceded by a long and distinguished legal career, he will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our work.”

Sir Anthony, who retired in October 2022, dedicated nearly 40 years to the Judicial Administration of the Cayman Islands, including almost 25 years as Chief Justice. Prior to his tenure on the bench, he served for 16 years in the legal services of the governments of the Cayman Islands and Jamaica.

His distinguished career was recognised in the June 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours, where he was awarded a knighthood for his services to law and justice in the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and the Caribbean. He was formally invested as a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (KCMG) by His Majesty the King in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in October 2023.