Can a JP sign my pension document?

DEAR CMR,

So I contacted a JP regarding the virtual signing of my driver's license to upload for the Silver Thatch pensions and this was his response:

On the Pension issue, unfortunately, as JP's we are not allowed to do Virtual Signing or Verification of Documents. At this time I not able to assist you due to the continued Lockdown and Social Distancing etc.

Is this true?

Confused and desperate for pension funds

DEAR CONFUSED,

This position is actually correct. The government recently changed The Notaries Public Law and implemented regulations that allow for the signing of documents remotely with communications technology. This was to address the current COVID-19 lockdown which does not permit persons outside of their own households to be in direct contact with one another.

You are required to include a certified copy of your ID with your pension withdrawal applications.

The regulations were published on April 17 and allows notary public’s in the Cayman Islands to use communication technology to satisfy the “appearing before” requirement in carrying out their notarial actions. However this law does not pertain to Justices of the Peace.

A JP is an honorary appointment and so anyone can be selected to be a JP by submission of their name usually as a political favor. However, notices must apply and adhere to very strict laws. JPs were not regulated in any meaningful way until a 2012 lawsuit by CMR manager. They finally received regulations in 2015.

JPs are not permitted to charge for their services but instead perform what is considered a community service. They can be limited in the type of documents that they also sign.

For a JP to operate with the signage of documents at the moment they should have applied for exempted status and implemented a system that allow for social distancing. Given what is require to certify a document this JP likely knows that’s impossible and would rather not take the chance of breaching the current provisions.