Ask Auntie
Uncertain about rules of the roundabout
Can you settle an argument in our house, please? Is it OK to change lanes while you’re going round a roundabout? Auntie’s answer: The answer is a definite no. Once you are in the roundabout, you should stay in your lane until exiting. However, based on what I have seen from drivers in Cayman, there […]
Overhanging tree a nuisance for neighbour
My friend has a neighbour with a HUGE tree planted adjacent to her boundary garden wall and it overhangs her property. It likely has roots extending under her garden and into her house foundations/cistern. It drops its leaves a couple of times a year and is growing rapidly. Is there any legal remedy (I have […]
Company abusing immigration process
Why doesn’t the Business Staffing Plan Board, labour or immigration department clamp down on companies such as XXXX, who make positions redundant and then place ads in the paper for the same position, only to hire an expat? This business practice has to stop and government has to make an example of companies that abuse […]
Can cars be clamped in Cayman?
Is it true that you can be clamped if you park beyond the posted time limit or in a spot marked for a specific business? I have seen signs warning about clamping in many carparks around town and it doesn’t seem fair considering many plazas and office buildings don’t have adequate parking. Auntie’s answer: No, […]
Need tips on proper amounts for gratuities
I am relatively new to the Cayman Islands and have what I hope is a simple question. What is the accepted practice when it comes to tipping for various services in places like restaurants, hairdressers, hotels and taxis? I am also curious about whether you should be giving something to the boys and girls who […]
Why does electoral roll include occupation?
Why is there an “occupation” column for registered voters? Why does that nondescript identifier matter to anyone? Is that for corrupt campaign managers so they can more easily identify who can be bought or not? Auntie’s answer: I can understand your cynicism since over the years I have heard the whispers, and often shouts, up […]
Employer not paying his share of pension
I’m currently employed in a position where I get paid by commission only. My employer has me pay my 5% pension each pay cheque but says he doesn’t have to match it because my pay is commission based. Is this correct or should my employer follow the National Pensions Law and pay his 5% share? […]
Dealing with the mess of a car crash
Who is responsible for cleaning up the road after a car/vehicle crash? By cleaning up, I don’t mean just towing the vehicles out of the way, but actually sweeping up the glass and any other vehicles pieces/parts etc. And I mean picking them up and properly disposing them, rather than just throwing them in the […]
How to file US taxes from Cayman
There must be hundreds, if not thousands, of Caymanians and residents in Cayman who are also deemed as a US person under the new FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) regulations. This means we have an obligation to file taxes to the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) but where do we go for the forms and […]
Needs help to find a summer job
Is there a government department that assists high school or local college students with summer job placements or internships? Auntie’s answer: The answer is yes. The National Workforce Development Agency (NWDA) offers this service. And the process is very straightforward. The one caveat is that there is a minimum age of 17 for any student […]
Building a fence between neighbours
I am installing a fence on the boundary between my property and the neighbouring property. The fence will equally benefit both my land and the neighbour’s land. Is my neighbour required to split the cost with me? I have heard there is a “Fences Law” in Cayman, but have not been able to obtain a […]
Looking to scatter ashes from the air
I read your response to a question (see Ask Auntie column) about someone spreading their mother’s ashes on Cayman. You mentioned you could have them spread on the sea but not on land. Do you know if someone can rent a helicopter and be out over water and have them spread out from Seven Mile […]
Runners stuck in the dark at track
I am a regular user of the track across from the Truman Bodden Sports Complex. The Department of Sports has put up a sign outlining the rules of usage, which includes the public using the track from, I believe, sometime after school and up until midnight. My concern is that the track is only lit […]
Private use of government vehicles
What is the government policy on using vehicles belonging to government and its statutory authorities for personal errands and to pick up directors’ children from school using staff as drivers? Auntie’s answer: While you asked two questions, they are really just different parts of the same issue, which is the use of government vehicles for non-work-related […]
The legality of carrying pepper spray
What’s the position on carrying pepper spray or other such small items (not guns) for personal protection in Cayman? Auntie’s answer: This is a very interesting question, the answer to which I think could probably affect many people. I certainly understand the need to feel safe and to be able to protect yourself, but it […]
Unhappy with ineffective strata board
I have a nice little condo in a small development but the strata board is weak, the chairman rude and ineffectual, and the common areas untidy and uncared for. It is starting to affect the value and enjoyment of my property. The majority of other owners are either uninterested or just don’t care as they […]
Concern over traffic safety in neighbourhood
To which department, and to who, can I address urgent pleas for installation of traffic-calming measures? I live in Snug Harbour, and my house backs onto Palm Heights Drive which drivers use at great speed – my gardeners who come once a month refuse to even use that road to get to me! Drivers fly […]
Sponsorship of police business cards
Today the police responded to a vehicle break-in. The officer presented his business card for contact information. On the back of the card was an advertisement for a certain security company. When he saw the look on my face he said that they had sponsored his business cards. Is this even legal or ethical in […]
