The Judicial and Legal Service Commission invites applications for the position of Stipendiary and Circuit Magistrate of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas from suitably qualified persons.

Applicants must be:

1. a member of at least five years standing of the English, Irish, Scottish or Bahamas Bar, or of the Bar of any other country of the Commonwealth to which a member of the Bahamas Bar is admitted without examination; or

2. enrolled and has practiced for at least five years as a solicitor in England, Ireland or Scotland, or in any other country of the Commonwealth in which a member of the Bahamas Bar is permitted to practice as a solicitor without examination.

Appointment as a Stipendiary and Circuit Magistrate is made under section 13 of the Magistrates Act.     

The duties of a Stipendiary and Circuit Magistrate are as set out in (i) the Magistrates Act of the Statute Laws of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas; (ii) all other applicable Statutes; (iii) where appropriate, Rules made under such statutes; (iv)  where applicable, the Common Law; and (v) all other statutory duties which may be prescribed from time to time.

The salary of the post of Stipendiary and Circuit Magistrate is in Scale JL14 - $51,950 x 700 to $58,950 per annum. A Responsibility Allowance of $4,000 per annum, a Scarcity Allowance of $7,500 per annum, and a Transport Allowance of $3,000 per annum, are attached to the post.  Appointments are permanent and pensionable beginning with a probationary period of one (1) year, or on contract for an initial period of two (2) years and, upon the satisfactory completion of the contract, the applicant would be eligible for a gratuity of 15% of the total base salary received under the contract.

The successful applicant(s) will be expected to take office on an agreed date in March or April, 2021.

The applicant must clearly state whether he/she is prepared to accept an appointment to serve as a Stipendiary and Circuit Magistrate in New Providence or Grand Bahama. 

Application forms may be obtained from the office of the Judicial & Legal Service Commission, 4^th Floor, Annex 1 (formerly known as Ansbacher House), East Street & Bank Lane. The completed and signed Application form (together with any attachments) must be delivered by hand to the office of the Secretary of the Commission in Annex 1 not later than Friday, 5 March 2021.

Persons who previously submitted a completed and signed Application form for the post of Stipendiary and Circuit Magistrate within the past eighteen (18) months and wish to renew their application in response to this Notice may do so by letter confirming that position without submitting a new Application form. The letter must state the date of the earlier application and provide any additional or updated information pertaining to such application. Such letter must be delivered by hand to the office of the Secretary of the Commission in Annex 1 not later than Friday, 5 March 2021.

All other applications MUST be supported by a completed and signed Application form.  

Serving officers must apply through their Heads of Departments.

The closing date for submission of Applications is Friday, 5 March 2021.