Inside the Chamber August 2013 – Second Quarter

There has been quite a bit going on inside the Chamber. On the 20th April, 2013 we held our first ever Legal Forum on Wills and Living Wills. The Forum was held at the Hilton and the attendance was over subscribed. We look forward to facilitating more legal forums in the near future.

On the 28th June, 2013, Mrs. Edith Ferguson retired from the firm, just seven days after her 65th birthday. Ms. Ferguson was with the firm for 10 years. The firm held a retirement party for her with many of her family and friends in attendance. We thank Ms. Ferguson for her many years of dedicated service.

On the 19th July, 2013 Halsbury Chambers had its annual Staff Appreciation Day. Members of the firm celebrated at Sandy Toes for the full day. Sandy Toes is on Rose Island. Fun was had by all.

We would like to congratulate Nerissa Greene, partner of the firm, on the birth of her daughter. We, at the firm are extremely happy for Nerissa and her newborn.

Since our last issue of Inside the Chamber, Halsbury Chambers has issued the following bulletins:

(a) Protection of the Child – Part 1

(b) Protection of the Child – Part 2

(c) Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgment

(d) Revenue Measures 2013/2014

(e) Changing or Revoking a Will

(f) Constitutional Commission Recommendations

(g) Immigration – Entry Requirements for Business & Client Meetings

You may read any of the above on our historical posts page by clicking here.

NATIONAL INTEREST

(a) Constitutional Commission Report – in August 2012, the Prime Minister of the Bahamas appointed a Commission with the following broad mandate: “To conduct a comprehensive review of the Constitution of The Bahamas, and to recommend changes to the Constitution in advance of the 40th anniversary of Independence. These changes will require a national referendum to be held in due course so that the will of the people can be determined on the matter.” The Commission reported the matter on the 9th July, 2013 and the recommendations can be read in our Bulletin on Constitutional Commission Recommendations.

(b) Bahamas 40th Independence Celebration – on the 10th July, 2013 the Bahamas celebrated its 40th Anniversary of Independence. We will continue to celebrate this national milestone throughout the year.

(c) Stem Cell Research and Therapy Bill

The steam cell research and Therapy Bill was passed in the House of Assembly in August 2013. The Bill seeks to provide for the conduct and registration of stem cell research and therapy in the Bahamas.

FREE LEGAL CLINIC

Our 9th Annual Free Legal Clinic “Information You Need for the Life You Want” is scheduled for Saturday the 21st September 2013 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Halsbury Chambers has been providing an annual free legal clinic for the past eight (8) years. The legal clinics have been a huge success over the years, and we look forward to this year being no different.

LEGAL JOKE

A lawyer was well into a lengthy cross examination of a witness, stopped and said: “I object, Your Honor! One of the jurors is asleep.”

The Judge ruled: You put him to sleep…You wake him up.”

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What is a will?

A will is a written disposition or declaration by which the person making it (the testator) provides for the distribution or administration of his real and personal property after his death.

Q: Who can make a Will?

A person of unsound mind and an infant are by law unable to make a Will. A will can be made by a person who has attained his majority and has testamentary capacity. Testamentary capacity is the mental capacity that a person must have to prepare a valid will. This capacity is often described as the ability to recognize the natural objects of one’s bounty, the nature and extent of his estate and the fact that he is making a plan to dispose of his estate after his death.

Q: What is the purpose of appointing an Executor in a will?

An executor is the person who is appointed by the testator to carry out the provisions of the will. The executor’s duties include the burial of the deceased, applying to the Court to prove the Will and obtaining the Grant of Probate, administering the estate and distributing the residue of the deceased’s real property and personal property to those persons entitled under the will.

Q: What parties must be identified when preparing a valid will?

When preparing a will, the attorney should ascertain the full names and addresses of the testator, the executor and the beneficiaries and attention should be given with respect to their places of domicile, particularly that of the testator.

Q: Should I have a will?

Yes you should make a will. Anyone who owns real or personal estate should make a will in order to make provision for the distribution of his estate to those persons whom he wishes to receive the same without any interference or conflict.

Please note that you may read our bulletins here on our website or on our company Facebook page.