The first quarter of 2013 has been quite exciting for Halsbury Chambers. After quite a number of years we have changed our website to make it more user friendly for local and international clients. I would encourage you to visit us at www.halsburylawchambers.com. I think you would find most interesting our frequently asked questions. In addition we started Halsbury Chambers’ face-book page. On this page you would be able to find a number of articles written by our attorneys, advice for the day and there may be a few legal jokes!

We are most pleased that our Branville McCartney was invited to speak at the National Bar Association’s Mid Winter Conference that was held in Nassau, The Bahamas on the 14th February, 2013. The topic was the relevance of the Privy Council in The Bahamas.

During the first quarter, our Branville McCartney was also invited to speak at Rotary at Sunrise. The topic was “Doing Business in The Bahamas”. He spoke at Kiwanis Club of Over the Hill on the 31st January, 2013 on the Lotteries and Gaming Act and at Toastmasters on the 7th February, 2013 on the topic Gambling in The Bahamas. On the 25th March, 2013, Mr. McCartney was a guest speaker at the Bahamas Youth Event, One Day Symposium Forum on the topic The Preamble to the Constitution. On the 28th March, 2013, Mr. McCartney appeared before the Parliamentary Compensation Committee to give his contribution regarding the increase in Parliamentary Compensation.

Our Nerissa Green was a panelist at a televised Town Meeting and discussed the social ills of Gambling in the Bahamas on the 22nd January, 2013.

Our Mrs. Andrea Williams spoke at R.M. Bailey High School on a Lecture on Bahamas Majority Day Rule on the 10th January, 2013. She also spoke at the Success Centre for Extended Studies On-Line University of Huddersfield Law Degree Programme on a general topic on the Study of Law at their Annual LLB Information Session on the 27th February, 2013. Also, Mrs. Williams spoke at the Eugene Dupuch Law School on the topic Contentious Probate Matters on the 4th March, 2013.

Our Jeanne Thompson (former Justice of the Supreme Court) had a few articles in the local dailies on the relevance of the Senate in The Bahamas in February, 2013.

Several bulletins were issued this quarter by Halsbury Chambers namely “New Laws for our Neigbours to the North (USA)”, “Gambling in the Bahamas”, “Privy Council criticizes the Quieting Titles Act in The Bahamas”, “Privy Council to Bahamian Land Owners: Registrar your Land”, and the Companies (Winding Up Amendment) Act, 2011. You can read these bulletins on our website and on our Facebook page.

As you can see, these chambers were very busy for the first quarter of 2013. We indeed look forward to even more in our second quarter.

Congratulations to Deborah Newbold as Employee of the year 2013.

By Mrs. Carolyn Adderley
Firm’s Manager

National Interest

Referendum

On the 28th January, 2013 the Bahamas held its second “Referendum”. The questions posed to the Bahamians were: Do you support the regulations and taxing of web-shops and do you support a National Lottery? Many persons questioned whether this was indeed a proper “Referendum” or an opinion poll, but the result was an overwhelming “No” on both questions.

Gay Marriages

The Chief Justice Sir Michael Barnett recently pronounced that it is inevitable that the question of gay marriages will be challenged in the Bahamian Courts.

Immigration

Illegal immigration continues to be a vexing problem in the Bahamas, but the Government has recently announced, for the public discussion the restrictions of work permits for maids, housekeepers and labourers within the next year.

Oil Exploration

There may be oil exploration in The Bahamas. Many persons are divided as to whether this should occur primarily because of environmental concerns.

Value Added Tax

As there is a need for a new form of revenue for the country, the Government intends to introduce Value Added Tax by Summer 2014.

Carifta Games

The Carifta Games were held in The Bahamas on the 29th March, 2013 to the 1st April, 2013. The Bahamas came second with thirty-one medals. Congratulations to our Bahamian team!

Legal Forum

On the 20th April 2013, Halsbury Chambers will host its first ever Legal Forum at the Hilton Hotel, Nassau, The Bahamas. The forum will be on Wills, Living Wills and Trusts. The forum will be from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. It is free of charge and all persons are encouraged to attend.

Legal Joke

Two lawyers went into the restaurant and ordered two drinks. Then they got sandwiches out of their briefcases and started to eat. The waiter said, “Hey, you can’t eat your own sandwiches in here!” So the lawyers traded sandwiches.