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THE JUDICATURE OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS
THE PRIVY COUNCIL
The Judicial Committee of Her Majesty's Privy Council is the highest Court for The Bahamas. It sits in England to hear appeals from the Court of Appeal.
COURT OF APPEAL
The highest tribunal resident within The Bahamas is the Court of Appeal, which sits on a full time basis throughout the year. The Court of Appeal has jurisdication in criminal, constitutional and civil matters - which includes appeals from the Industrial Relations Tribunal - under the Constitution, the Court of Appeal Act and other statutes.
The Court of Appeal, which is separate and apart from the Supreme Court, is comprised of a President, the Chief Justice by virtue of his offie as Head of the Judiciary, three (3) resident justices of Appeal and one (1) non-resident Justice of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal and Supreme Court are not government departments. They function as independent institutions under the Constitution.
SUPREME COURT
There are twelve (12) Justices appointed to the Bench of the Supreme Court, this is inclusive of the Chief Justice. The Justices are appointed by the Governor General acting on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission. The Supreme Court has unlimited jurisdiction in general, civil and criminal matters.
There are two (2) Judges assigned to the Supreme Court in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Matters from the Northern Region of The Bahamas, which includes Bimini, Abaco and Grand Bahama are heard there unless they are transferred to New Providence for good reason.
MAGISTRATES’ COURTS
There are (15) Magistrates' Courts in New Providence (including one (1) Drug Court, one (1) Firearms Court, one (1) Coroner's Court, one (1) night civil court and two (2) night traffic courts).
In Grand Bahama, there are four (4) Magistrates' Courts (three (3) in the Garnet Levarity Justice Centre, Freeport and one (1) in the Government Complex in Eight Mile Rock).
There is one (1) Magistrate’s Court in Abaco.
These courts are presided over by stipendiary and circuit magistrates, who exercise summary jurisdiction in criminal matters and in civil matters involving amounts not exceeding $5,000.00.
Family Island Administrators also sit as magistrates and exercise summary jurisdiction in criminal matters of a less serious nature and in civil matters involving amounts not exceeding $400.00.
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