Supreme Court of the Bahamas
Encyclopedia
The Supreme Court of the Bahamas is the third highest court in the adjudicative hierarchy of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The court was created by Article 93(1) of the Constitution. Before that, the Supreme Court was governed by the Supreme Court Act of 1896.
The Neo-Georgian style building which is home to the Supreme Court in New Providence
is located on Bank Lane. Ground was broken for the building in 1921 by then Governor
of the Colony of the Bahamas, Sir Harry Cordeaux. The courthouse is similar in design to the Central Public Building which is north of the building. On April 18, 1994, the first sitting of the Supreme Court in Grand Bahama
was held at the Grant Levarity Justice Center in Freeport
.
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, and after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, the Governor General of the Bahamas appoints the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice is the head of the Judicature in the Bahamas and sits in the Supreme Court. He cannot sit in the Court of Appeal unless invited by the President of the Court of Appeal. The current Chief Justice of the Bahamas is the The Hon. Sir. Michael L. Barnett. At this time there is only one senior justice, The Hon. Mr. Justice Jon Isaacs.
Other justices of the Supreme Court are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Justice and Legal Services Commission. Article 94(3) of the Constitution states that there are to be no more than eleven justices and no less than two justices in the Supreme Court. The Article also states that only two justices may bear the title "Senior Justice". To qualify to become a justice of the Supreme Court, a person must have been a member of the Bahamas Bar or the Bar of a Commonwealth country qualifying them to practise as an attorney in the Bahamas. At least ten years' experience as a counsel or attorney is also required. Once a justice has been appointed, the salary and other terms cannot be changed to his or her disadvantage. A Supreme Court justice may serve up until the age of 65, or 67 if agreed upon.
, which is the highest court for the country.
The Neo-Georgian style building which is home to the Supreme Court in New Providence
New Providence
New Providence is the most populous island in the Bahamas, containing more than 70% of the total population. It also houses the national capital city, Nassau.The island was originally under Spanish control following Christopher Columbus' discovery of the New World, but the Spanish government showed...
is located on Bank Lane. Ground was broken for the building in 1921 by then Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of the Colony of the Bahamas, Sir Harry Cordeaux. The courthouse is similar in design to the Central Public Building which is north of the building. On April 18, 1994, the first sitting of the Supreme Court in Grand Bahama
Grand Bahama
Grand Bahama is one of the northernmost of the islands of the Bahamas, and the closest major island to the United States, lying off the state of Florida. Grand Bahama is the fifth largest island in the Bahamas island chain of approximately 700 islands and 2,400 cays...
was held at the Grant Levarity Justice Center in Freeport
Freeport, Bahamas
Freeport is a city, district and free trade zone located on the island of Grand Bahama of the North-west Bahamas. In 1955, Wallace Groves, a Virginian financier with lumber interests in Grand Bahama, was granted 50,000 acres Freeport is a city, district and free trade zone located on the island of...
.
Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court of the Bahamas has unlimited jurisdiction in general, civil and criminal mattersCriminal justice
Criminal Justice is the system of practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation efforts...
.
Justices
On the advice of the Prime MinisterPrime Minister of the Bahamas
This is a list of Prime Ministers and other Heads of Government of the Bahamas.- Office of the Prime Minister :The Prime Minister of the Bahamas is the head of the government of the Bahamas. He is also the Minister of Finance and the Member of Parliament for New Providence and North Abaco...
, and after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, the Governor General of the Bahamas appoints the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice is the head of the Judicature in the Bahamas and sits in the Supreme Court. He cannot sit in the Court of Appeal unless invited by the President of the Court of Appeal. The current Chief Justice of the Bahamas is the The Hon. Sir. Michael L. Barnett. At this time there is only one senior justice, The Hon. Mr. Justice Jon Isaacs.
Other justices of the Supreme Court are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Justice and Legal Services Commission. Article 94(3) of the Constitution states that there are to be no more than eleven justices and no less than two justices in the Supreme Court. The Article also states that only two justices may bear the title "Senior Justice". To qualify to become a justice of the Supreme Court, a person must have been a member of the Bahamas Bar or the Bar of a Commonwealth country qualifying them to practise as an attorney in the Bahamas. At least ten years' experience as a counsel or attorney is also required. Once a justice has been appointed, the salary and other terms cannot be changed to his or her disadvantage. A Supreme Court justice may serve up until the age of 65, or 67 if agreed upon.
Courts
The Supreme Court is third in the adjudicative hierarchy of the Bahamas. Appeals made by the Supreme Court can be struck down by the Court of Appeal, which is the highest domestic court in the Bahamas; appeals can be made from either court to the Judicial Committee of the Privy CouncilJudicial Committee of the Privy Council
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is one of the highest courts in the United Kingdom. Established by the Judicial Committee Act 1833 to hear appeals formerly heard by the King in Council The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) is one of the highest courts in the United...
, which is the highest court for the country.