(BIS Photos/Andrew Miller)
GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas – The Bahamas Court of Appeal is holding a special sitting in Grand Bahama over the next two days, marking its return to the island for the first time in 18 years.
During the proceedings, the Appellant Court will hear a number of matters as part of its efforts to bring the administration of justice closer to communities throughout The Bahamas.
President Justice Milton Evans, Chief Justice Ian Winder and Justice Gregory Smith are on island for the special sitting held a briefing ahead of the start of the hearings on September 9, 2026.
Justice Evans noted that the sitting affords Grand Bahama residents an opportunity to see the high court in action and appreciate what happens in the judiciary.
“This will be the first time that The Bahamas Court of Appeal will be sitting outside of the island of New Providence since, I think, 2008. We thought it fitting that we would come and give the island of Grand Bahama an opportunity to see that this is in fact the Court of Appeal of The Bahamas and not just Nassau,” he said.
Magistrates, judges, students from the University of The Bahamas and The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute, along with members from the community, were present for the special sitting.
Chief Justice Winder said the Court’s presence in Grand Bahama demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that Bahamians across the Commonwealth have meaningful access to justice.
The initiative is intended not only to provide access to the justice system, but also to allow residents to “see and feel” that justice is in motion within their communities.
The special sitting represents a significant milestone for Grand Bahama and underscores the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that justice is accessible throughout the country — not only in New Providence.
President Evans pointed out that the significance of the court sitting in Grand Bahama allows loved ones of those before the courts and others who are otherwise connected to the matter the opportunity to witness first-hand what transpires in the case in court.
“That’s a benefit that persons in New Providence have; their families can come to court, they can sit and they can listen. This is an opportunity for those who live in Freeport to have that available to them,” he said.
Chief Justice Winder also revealed that the Garnet Levarity Justice Centre in Grand Bahama is the only place outside of New Providence where there is a complete court structure as it is furnished with three Supreme Court Judges, three Registrars and four Magistrates.
“No other community has such conveniences,” he said, while adding that Abaco is the only other Family Island jurisdiction to have a Magistrates Court, and the Court Services Council has received approval and is in the process of completing a court structure in Eleuthera.
“So, we’re trying to move to ensure that communities feel and have access to their court system, to not have to travel to New Providence to engage in the business of the courts.”
He added that the Appellant Court is taking as many steps as it can to ensure that justice for the citizens of Grand Bahama is well resourced and received.
For those unable to attend court in person in New Providence, the Justices also point out that Virtual Court is also available.
