Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas 1973
Judicial Protection
  • English
    1. If any person alleges that any of the provisions of Articles 16 to 27 (inclusive)4 of this Constitution has been, is being of is likely to be contravened in relation to him then, without prejudice to any other action with respect to the same matter which is lawfully available, that person may apply to the Supreme Court for redress.
    2. The Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction-
    a. to hear and determine any application made by any person in pursuance of paragraph (1) of this Article; and
    b. to determine any question arising in the case of any parson which is referred to it in pursuance of paragraph (3) of this Article,
    and may make such orders, issue such writs and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for the purpose of enforcing or securing the enforcement of any of the provisions of the said Articles 16 to 27 (inclusive) to the protection of which the person concerned is entitled:
    Provided that the Supreme Court shall not exercise its power under this paragraph if it is satisfied that adequate means of redress are or have been available to the person concerned under any other law.
    3. If, in any proceedings in any court established for The Bahamas other than the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal, any question arises as to the contravention of any of the provisions of the said Articles 16 to 27 (inclusive), the court in which the question has arisen shall refer the question to the Supreme Court.
    4. No law shall make provision with respect to rights of appeal from any determination of the Supreme Court in pursuance of this Article that is less favorable to any party thereto than the rights of appeal from determinations of the Supreme Court that are accorded generally to parties to civil proceedings in that Court sitting as a court or original jurisdiction.
    5. Parliament may make laws to confer upon the Supreme Court such additional or supplementary powers as may appear to be necessary or desirable for enabling the Court more effectively to exercise the jurisdiction conferred upon it by paragraph (2) of this Article and may make provision with respect to the practice and procedure of the Court while exercising that jurisdiction. (Art. 28)
Judicial Protection
  • English
    1. An appeal to the Court of appeal shall lie as of right from final decisions of the Supreme Court given in exercise of the jurisdiction conferred on the Supreme Court by Article 28 of this Constitution (which relates to the enforcement of fundamental rights and freedoms).
    2. An appeal shall lie as of right to the Judicial Committee of Her Majesty's Privy Council or to such other court as may be prescribed by Parliament under Article 105(3) of this Constitution form any decisions given by the Court of Appeal in any such case. (Art. 104)
Links to all sites last visited 6 March 2024
2
Statute Law of the Bahama Islands. No. 25 of 1967.
3
Chapter II on Citizenship.
4
Part of Chapter III on Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual.
5
Chapter III on Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual.