The Government of Bermuda has issued the following statements from the Minister of Home Affairs, The Hon. Walter Roban and the Attorney General, Senator, The Hon. Kathy-Lynn Simmons regarding today’s judgment from the Court Appeal.
Attorney General, Sen. Kathy-Lynn Simmons said today, following the ruling of the Court of Appeal on the provisions of The Domestic Partnership Act (“DPA”): “The judgment of the Court is being considered and the Government will determine its next steps within the prescribed period of 21 days in which any application for leave to appeal must be made.”
The Hon. Walter Roban, Minister of Home Affairs added: “In preparing the Domestic Partnership Act, the Government invited and took into account a wide range of views, including submissions from OUTBermuda. The Government enacted the DPA to achieve a balance between passionately held different beliefs within Bermuda and to provide a comprehensive legal framework to accommodate such beliefs. Bermuda is the first English speaking country in the Region to do so. As the Court of Appeal observed, this case was not about the differing views on same sex marriage but about a law, properly passed in the Legislature and whether it offends the Constitution. In considering whether to appeal this case, we must weigh the significant implications for the expectation of Bermudians that laws passed by their elected representatives and that reflect their democratically expressed views will be upheld. There are important issues at stake in this case and this Government will fully consider the legal position and the fundamental Constitutional issues in coming to a decision on next steps.”