Regulatory Counsel

The Regulatory Counsel serves as the Office’s principal legal adviser, providing decisive and authoritative counsel to the Chief Executive Officer, Board, and executive and senior management across all regulated sectors including electricity/energy, fuels, water, and ICT.

UTILITY REGULATION AND COMPETITION OFFICE

Applications are invited for the following post:

Regulatory Counsel

Ref: OF12/25 Salary Range: KYD$143,268.00 - $166,176.00

The Regulatory Counsel serves as the Office’s principal legal adviser, providing decisive and authoritative counsel to the Chief Executive Officer, Board, and executive and senior management across all regulated sectors including electricity/energy, fuels, water, and ICT. This executive leadership role combines strategic legal guidance with active legal practice, focused primarily on regulatory law and its application to multi-sector utility oversight.

While the Director of Economics & Regulatory Affairs handles economic policy and compliance functions, the Regulatory Counsel leads all legal matters impacting the Office, including regulatory and administrative law, litigation, statutory interpretation, corporate governance, and contractual issues. The post-holder is expected to draft legal opinions, prepare determinations, and manage complex disputes, while also advising on legislative reform, regulatory risk, and governance matters.

The Regulatory Counsel will manage and mentor the Associate Regulatory Counsel and foster a 

 culture of excellence, integrity, and continuous development within the Office’s legal function.

Principal Accountabilities

Legal Advisory

• Serve as the chief legal adviser to the Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors, and senior management on all legal matters affecting the Office’s regulated sectors.
• Provide authoritative, timely, and practical legal opinions on regulatory, administrative, corporate governance, contractual, and compliance issues.
• Interpret and advise on the application of the Utility Regulation and Competition (URC) Act, ICT Act, and all other relevant sector-specific legislation.
• Advise the Board and executive management to ensure proper understanding and discharge of statutory duties, regulatory obligations, and governance requirements.
• Monitor and advise on legal risks, regulatory developments, and emerging issues to support the Office’s decision-making and risk mitigation.

Regulatory & Policy Development

• Lead and oversee the drafting, review, and legal vetting of primary and secondary legislation, regulatory instruments, policies, determinations, enforcement notices, and public consultation documents.
• Ensure legal integrity, procedural fairness, and enforceability of regulatory measures in alignment with legislative mandates and best administrative law practices.
• Collaborate with policy, economic, and sectoral experts to embed legal perspectives effectively within regulatory frameworks and reforms.
• Manage the legal review of consultation processes, ensuring compliance with principles of natural justice and stakeholder engagement obligations.

Litigation & Dispute Management

• Manage all aspects of litigation and dispute resolution involving the Office, including strategy development, drafting pleadings, overseeing external counsel, and courtroom representation as required.
• Provide leadership in negotiating settlements, alternative dispute resolutions, and regulatory enforcement hearings to protect the Office’s statutory interests.
• Develop robust legal responses and defence strategies to challenges against regulatory decisions or mandates.
• Maintain oversight of ongoing legal cases to ensure timely progress and effective resource allocation.
• Support sector teams and the Board by assisting in the drafting and finalisation of draft and final determinations.
• Draft enforcement notices

Regulatory & Policy Development

• Lead and oversee the drafting, review, and legal vetting of primary and secondary legislation, regulatory instruments, policies, determinations, enforcement notices, and public consultation documents.
• Ensure legal integrity, procedural fairness, and enforceability of regulatory measures in alignment with legislative mandates and best administrative law practices.
• Collaborate with policy, economic, and sectoral experts to embed legal perspectives effectively within regulatory frameworks and reforms.
• Manage the legal review of consultation processes, ensuring compliance with principles of natural justice and stakeholder engagement obligations.

Leadership & Management

• Build and sustain legal capacity within the Office by identifying training needs, delivering development programs, and encouraging knowledge sharing.
• Promote adherence to best practices in corporate governance, transparency, ethical standards, and compliance within the legal team and the wider organisation.
• Coordinate cross-functional collaboration to integrate legal considerations seamlessly across operational, policy, and regulatory functions.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the Office’s legal liaison with government entities, external counsel, licensees, and international regulatory bodies on complex legal and regulatory matters.
• Represent URCO at regional and international forums, conferences, and working groups to influence and contribute to regulatory policy development and best practice exchanges.
• Contribute to public communication regarding legal and regulatory issues, ensuring clarity and consistency.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with a professional legal qualification; eligible to practise as an attorney-at-law in the Cayman Islands or a comparable common law jurisdiction.
• Minimum of twelve years’ post-qualification experience, including substantial experience in utility regulation and competition law across energy, fuels, water, and ICT sectors.
• At least five years in a leadership or supervisory role within a legal, regulatory, or administrative environment.
• At least five years’ demonstrated experience leading litigation, particularly in regulatory, administrative, or public law proceedings.
• Proven experience providing high-level legal advice to executives, regulatory authorities, or government bodies in complex multi-sector contexts.
• Demonstrated expertise in legislative drafting, regulatory determinations, and dispute resolution.
• Strong familiarity with international regulatory frameworks, standards, and best practices.
• Experience in administrative law, competition law, and regulatory compliance is required.

Benefits

• 25 days’ vacation per annum
• Non-contributory health and pension

Application process

To be considered for this position, applicants must submit all the following:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Completed OfReg application form
• Two professional references

The detailed job description, and the OfReg application form are available online at: www.ofreg.ky/job-opportunities

Please note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Preference will be given to suitably qualified and experienced Caymanians.

`                       Application Closing Date: January 31^st, 2026