Judge Rules Five Family Island Admins Were Unlawfully Redeployed in 2021

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A Supreme Court judge has ruled that five Family Island Administrators were unlawfully redeployed in 2021.

Although ruling that Arimentha Newman, Elizabeth Collie, Ernestine Fernander, Lauretta Marshall and Carletta Turnquest remained the duly appointed holders of the office, Justice Carla Card-Stubbs did not order their reinstatement.

The judge said it was unclear whether ordering a return to their posts would be feasible or practical, or whether it should be addressed by compensation in damages.

Justice Card-Stubbs will hear arguments on this point at a later date.

The claimants and the Bahamas Public Service Union sued the Attorney General.

They were appointed as Family Island Administrators by the Governor-General acting on the advice of the Public Service Commission.

They later received letters in November and December 2021, issued by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Public Service, directing them to report to other ministries, in some cases immediately.

Justice Card-Stubbs said the move, which the government described as a redeployment, was “null and void with no legal effect.”