National

Chief Justice Outlines Judicial Accomplishments

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The 2025 legal year has officially opened following a report from the chief justice on the accomplishments of 2024.

Published

3 weeks ago

January 8, 2025

Berthony McDermott

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The 2025 legal year has officially opened following a report from the chief justice on the accomplishments of 2024.

Members of the judiciary all gathered in the ballroom at Margaritaville Beach Resort.

Dressed in their legal attire, justices, magistrates, and bar council members listened intently as Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder delivered his report, along with speeches from attorney general Ryan Pinder K.C. and Bahamas Bar Association President Khalil Parker.

In his address, Sir Ian 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.

Sir Ian says the new rules could also shorten the length of jury-empaneled trials.

2024 also saw the establishment of a dedicated Bail Court.

Justice Neil Brathwaite is the first Supreme Court Justice to sit in the precinct.

April 2024 also saw the establishment of the sentencing guidelines commission, headed by law reform commissioner and former Chief Justice Sir Michael Barnett.

The commission now working on the first draft of guidelines, according to the chief justice, who says he expects a report soon.

As for the year ahead, Sir Ian foreshadowed a new phase in court reporting as magistrates now completely dependent on a digital court reporting system.