Court

A Look Back At Judicial Accomplishments and Promises Made

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – As the 2026 Opening of the Legal Year approaches, we reflect on judicial accomplishments and promises made for the judiciary.

Published

1 week ago

January 12, 2026

Sasha Lightbourne

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – As the 2026 Opening of the Legal Year approaches, we reflect on the accomplishments and promises made by the judiciary over the past two years.

Sir Ian Winder – Chief Justice (January 8th, 2025)

“These new rules, which came into force on the 2nd, January 2025, are intended to promote more efficient and effective case management in criminal matters by providing for the defense statements, and a mechanism for pre-trial evidentiary hearings.“

“The defence statement, along with a full disclosure obligation of the prosecution, allows for early identification of the issues in the case by the trial judge, and therefore provides for more meaningful case management.”

That was Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder at the 2025 Opening of the Legal Year where he highlighted the accomplishments of 2024, including the introduction of the Supreme Court Amendment Act 2024, which established new criminal case rules to guide criminal matters.

At the time, Sr Ian said the new rules could also shorten the length of jury-empaneled trials.

2024 also saw the establishment of a dedicated bail court.

Sir Ian Winder – Chief Justice (January 8th, 2025)

“The dedicated bail court was not only to bring a focused attention to the bail process, but to ensure consistency in bail applications.”

The chief justice also spoke of a new phase in court reporting.

Sir Ian Winder – Chief Justice (January 8th, 2025)

“We’ve been steadily building our transcription capacity, and have acquired new software to be able to substantially assist our existing cadre of stenographers.”

Also, the CJ wasn’t the only person to address the legal fraternity that day.

During his speech at the 2025 opening, Bar Association President, Khalil Parker K.C., called for the full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act – a call he had made for three consecutive years.

Attorney General Ryan Pinder K.C. responded, explaining that the Davis administration was working on an implementation plan that would put the country one step closer to implementing the Freedom of Information Act.

Ryan Pinder K.C. – Attorney General (January 8th, 2025)

“As I had said about a month ago, we are working on a pilot program in select ministries, and a training session in select agencies, because the internal civil service likewise has to be trained on how to respond to requests appropriately, but yes, we have an implementation plan, and we’re working on doing that for this year.”

So far, that hasn’t happened, and it remains to be seen if the issue will be raised at this year’s opening of the legal year.