Recent amendments to the laws governing Bermuda’s municipalities have stripped the City of Hamilton of much of its regulatory powers. Commuters can park for free within the boundaries of the municipality, and ratepayers can withhold their rates – without consequence. But Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy has failed to take the necessary corrective action – which would involve a […]
Archives for March 2015
Constitutional challenge put on ice
Can resume once stewardship is over; Minister cannot use powers to end City of Hamilton proceedings against Bermuda Government - Chief Justice
Government can not use its powers to take over a municipality to squash a case against itself, Chief Justice Ian Kawaley has ruled. But an ongoing constitutional challenge to those powers will have to wait until a new City of Hamilton government is elected next month. Justice Kawaley ruled that the challenge by the Corporation […]
When Government hires private sector lawyers
Are public funds protected?
Bermuda’s Government is defending its practice of selecting private sector lawyers based on a Minister’s subjective appraisal of their abilities. But a political row over one particular appointment raises questions over whether the longstanding practice adequately protects public funds. According to the island’s Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell, the lawyer-client relationship does not lend itself to procurement […]
Burt and House Speaker to meet over ejection
The Deputy Opposition Leader David Burt is to meet with House of Assembly Speaker Randolph Horton over his ejection from the House chamber on Friday. Burt wrote a letter of complaint to the Speaker about his actions claiming he was treated unfairly. The pair agreed to discuss the matter this evening. See letter below: Letter […]
Bermuda Opposition issues stark warning on Immigration
Government: It's about the economy, Cabinet's role must not be usurped
Bermuda’s Opposition Progressive Labour Party has warned of further division and conflict on the island unless a bipartisan, consensus-building approach is taken on immigration reform. But the warning went unheeded by the governing One Bermuda Alliance which rejected a PLP bid to set up a parliamentary committee to make reform proposals. Instead, the OBA proposed that parliament “take […]
Bermuda: Immigration reform motion sinks
House Speaker's competence questioned as he fails to justify his refusal to allow debate on Government amendment motion
A bid by Bermuda’s Opposition Progressive Labour Party to form a parliamentary committee on immigration reform was torpedoed by the governing One Bermuda Alliance last night. The PLP asked parliament to set up a joint select committee to “develop a set of proposals for substantial reform of immigration policy” warning that anything less than a consensus approach […]
Row over waterfront legal fees
Minister's wife is a director of law firm involved
Bermuda Government has refused to reveal exactly how much funding approval it is seeking from parliament for litigation expenses involving the City of Hamilton waterfront and its powers over the island’s municipalities. It also has not responded to questions about the identity of the local law firm involved. We can report, however, that MJM was instructed by Municipalities Minister Michael […]