Courts and expunging criminal records outside our jurisdiction (2022-07-25)

Summary

This is a published case summary from the Cayman Islands Ombudsman describing the outcome of a data protection complaint. It illustrates the limits of the Ombudsman's jurisdiction rather than creating any new rule or requirement.

• Complaint: An individual complained that the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had inaccurately processed personal data relating to his criminal record.
• Relief sought: The complainant wanted his criminal record expunged.
• Outcome: The Ombudsman declined to support the complaint, finding it has no jurisdiction to overturn court rulings or order expungement of criminal records.

The notice is informational only, published to explain the Ombudsman's decision-making approach in similar future cases; it does not impose any ongoing compliance obligation on RCIPS, ODPP, or any other body.

Applies to

Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS), Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP)