Professional Practice Course 2008 Graduates. Back row, from left: Leroy Whorms, Deana Hutchinson, Christopher Eakin, Samuel Banks, and Durk Banks. Front row: Pamella Mendez, Marlene Bovell and Anya Ritch.  Photo by Debra Edwards

By Debra Edwards
debra@caymannetnews.com 

Students who graduated from The Cayman Islands Law School on Friday, 15 August, were encouraged by Vice Chancellor of University of Liverpool, Sir Howard Newby not to see the commencement as the end of their learning experience, but rather as a beginning.

Introduced by Professor Anu Arora in the Westin Casuarina Resort’s Governors Ballroom, Sir Howard addressed the graduation ceremony for the first time in his new post as Vice Chancellor at any event of this nature.

Noting that, although the Cayman Islands Law School is set in “paradise,” the beauty of the islands does not take away from the legitimacy and seriousness of the institution. Furthermore, he explained in his address that the quality of education is just as stellar as at law schools in the United Kingdom, such as the University of Liverpool, which, he said, is rated amongst the best.

Those receiving certificates for the Professional Practice Course at the Cayman Law School were: Durk Banks, Samuel Banks Jr, Marlene Bovel, Christopher Eaken, Andrea Ebanks, Deanna Hutchinson, Pamella Mendez, Anya Ritch, Rachel Smyth and Leroy Whorms.

Receiving Bachelor of Laws full-time (Honours) Degrees, from the University of Liverpool, were: Terry-Anne Arch, Denise Archer, Douglas Charles, Roopnarine Deosaran, Jonathan Doak, Leah Ebanks, Tamara Ebanks, Mark Fahmy, Jodi Hydes, Dwayne Jones, Shaun Khan, Devika Parchment, Shanna Saunders, Yanique Sterling and Bradshawna Watson.

Bachelor of Laws part-time (Honours) Degrees went to: Janice Behari, Hilmae Bodden, Tara Campbell, Awardnath Deosaran, Katrina Foster, Jacqueline Haynes, Kim McLaughlin, Gloria Nixon and Kurt Walton.

The Sweet & Maxwell Law Prize for best performance in the first year modules went to Bryan Little.

Kim McLaughlin received the Bankers Association Prize for best performance over the part-time degree programme.

The University of Liverpool Law Association Prize and the Butterworths Law Prize for best performance in the second year modules went to Andrew Jackson.

And Shaun Khan, valedictorian of the full-time Honors LLB programme, received three awards - The Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce Prize for best performance in third year modules, The Tim Shea Memorial Prize for best performance over the full-time Honours degree programme, and The Dean’s Prize from the Liverpool Law School at the University of Liverpool.

Professional Practice Course Graduate, Deana Hutchinson received the OL Panton Memorial Prize for the best performance over the course.

The Cayman Islands Law School first opened its doors in 1982, and continues to deliver some of the best lawyers to the world at large, on a yearly basis.

Valedictorian Shaun Khan expressed in his address being somewhat troubled in his youth, and noted that many of his former teachers and classmates would be happily surprised with what he has accomplished at the Cayman Islands Law School, proof positive that, at the proper institution, and with the right mindset, virtually anything can be achieved.

Sasha Powell, who sang the National Anthem, “God Save the Queen”, concluded the ceremony.