Two Bahamian Lawyers Achieve International Publishing Status

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Two Bahamian Lawyers Achieve International Publishing Status Two Bahamian attorneys, Petra Hanna-Weekes of Graham Thompson's Freeport, Grand Bahama, office and B. Andrea Williams of the Nassau-based law firm of Halsbury Chambers , have achieved international recognition when a paper they co-authored was accepted for publication in the Oxford University Press.

Weekes and Williams' paper on International Succession in The Bahamas, appeared in the Third Edition of the Oxford University Press, the largest university press serving the legal profession and legal education. The local practicing attorneys' work was published together with submissions from 49 other jurisdictions.

"We reviewed, compiled, ordered, documented and finalized the work within a one-year period," said Weekes. "During that time, new precedents were being set and there was a great deal of active discussion in legal circles about the subject, but we wanted to provide a definitive reference following the statutory changes with the Wills Act 2002 and the Inheritance Act 2002 that would serve the legal profession."

Clarification, she said, has become increasingly important for two reasons -- the local population is more sophisticated and are paying more attention to how they provide for loved ones after their death. Interest in joint property, the costs of dying intestate (without a will), the differentiation between a written will and holographic wills (which are recognized in civil jurisdictions but not in The Bahamas), rights of executors and trustees, aspects of the Inheritance Act -- elements that in an earlier generation hardly aroused attention are now of common interest.

Just as importantly, Williams said, our citizens and residents are now part of families who have ventured beyond this country, bought or inherited property elsewhere, married someone from abroad or in other ways find that probate and property matters extend beyond our Bahamian borders or estate assets are to be divided among others who may no longer reside in or, in fact, have never resided in The Bahamas.

"One of the most important services an attorney can provide is to assist a client with what we commonly call getting their affairs in order," said Williams. "You want to leave loved ones with fond memories not a year of headaches. The goal of the publisher was to make it easier for members of the legal profession to have a single international reference to review for a synopsis of the law as it applies today in the selected jurisdictions and to guide them as they guide their clients and we are honoured that our paper on the subject was accepted for publication. We trust it will serve the purpose for which it was intended."

"We are especially proud of Petra's co-authorship of this important and timely paper", said Sean McWeeney QC, one of the senior partners of Graham, Thompson & Co. "It is an excellent example of the high standards of scholarly research and articulate expression that Petra customarily brings to all her work. This paper deserves a wide circulation both in The Bahamas and abroad. It is eminently readable and of a great value to all those who may be interested in acquiring a more informed grasp of the succession law of The Bahamas. I cannot commend Petra Weeks and Andrea Williams highly enough. Their paper is first-rate" he concluded.

Hanna-Weekes joined Graham Thompson in 2010. The firm is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

"Being selected for publication in the Oxford University Press to an attorney is like a writer being nominated for a Pulitzer Prize or a musical artist being nominated for a Grammy," said Halsbury Chambers Partner Nerissa Greene. "We are extremely proud that Andrea Williams and Petra Weeks were among a handful of those around the globe selected. With a legal career that spans more than 43 years, Mrs. Williams is among the most knowledgeable attorneys in the field of probate, administration and succession in this country and we believe the work she has co-authored will help to serve as a guideline for the profession."

Williams joined the firm of Halsbury Chambers in 2010 after 40 years specializing in probate and related matters with another respected firm. Halsbury Chambers, headquartered on Village Road, is best known for its free legal clinics, "Information You Need for the Life You Want."

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