A couple is celebrating being able to wed after same-sex marriage was legalised in the Cayman Islands.
The ruling on Friday came after a court case brought by British-born Vickie Bodden Bush and Caymanian Chantelle Day.
The pair, who adopted a daughter together in England, had been refused a marriage licence in April last year.
Ms Bodden Bush, 48, is in the country on a work permit and was denied a spousal visa.
While Ms Day, 32, was not recognised as mother to their daughter in the Cayman Islands, so took the action to be able to receive the same rights and protections as heterosexual couples.
After the lengthy battle, the Chief Justice of the Cayman Islands modified the Marriage Law with immediate effect on Friday to allow same-sex marriage.
He found that the rights to a private and family life, free conscience and equality had been violated.
It was ruled the dignity of the petitioners would only be restored by allowing them to marry.
"Love wins," said Ms Day as she left court, the Cayman Compass reports.
Peter Laverack, a barrister at 5 Essex Court, acting on behalf of the petitioners, said: "Chantelle's and Vickie's relationship finally has been recognised.
"For too long they and their daughter were denied what loving couples and ordinary families take for granted.
"The Chief Justice's judgment beautifully combines the common law and European Court case law, with a healthy dose of common sense.
"Equality means equality. Love is love."
The ruling might also have implications for others British Overseas Territories which do not allow same-sex marriages.
Legal teams believes it will set a precedent which they will have now have to follow in permitting them.
A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: “We welcome this decision, which now permits same sex marriage. The UK believes that the strongest, safest and most prosperous societies are those in which all citizens can play a full, equal and active part.”
