NASSAU, The Bahamas – Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Senator the Hon. Allyson Maynard Gibson expressed the Government’s commitment to ensuring that all Bahamians are safe and secure as the administration of justice is carried out. The Attorney General and the Hon. Damian Gomez, Minister of State in the Ministry of Legal Affairs, headed a team of senior officials from the Office of the Attorney General as they inspected the new Supreme Courts in the Ansbacher Building, Bank Lane, and the Administrative Court Complex on Nassau Street, July 12.

Also joining them were Vinette Graham-Allen, Director of Public Prosecutions; Debra Fraser, Director of Legal Affairs; Roger Gomez, Chief Magistrate; Marco Rolle, Undersecretary and Livingston Forbes, Chief Architect of the Ministry of Works and Urban Development. Mrs. Maynard emphasised that security is “paramount” and Bahamians have a right to expect that they are secure. Everyone in the precincts of the building is in a sterile environment where law and order are paramount, she said.  “Justice must be seen to be done and the administration of justice is carried out and transparent.”

Mr. Gomez said it is extremely important that the environs of the courts are safe and sterile. He said recommendations for improvements to the courts submitted in a comprehensive report by Chief of Security Supt. Oscar Sands are being reviewed and steps are being taken to implement them. “All of the recommendations will be reviewed and at the end of the day almost all of them will be put in place,” he said.

The complex has space for 12 Magistrates' Courts, a police station, facilities for court reporters, holding cells for males and females, a treasury for the purposes of collecting fines and administrative chambers and offices.

Renovations to the Ansbacher building on East Street and Bank Lane building included two courts, judges’ chambers, a jury room and ancillary accommodations.

Photo 1: Supt. Oscar Sands leads officials from the Office of the Attorney General on a tour of the Administration Court Complex on Nassau Street. At left is the Hon. Damian Gomez, Minister of State in the Ministry of Legal Affairs and at right is Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs the Hon. Allyson Maynard Gibson. (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson)

Photo 2: Construction of parking facilities at the Administration Court Complex is winding down and expected to be completed by the end of August. One hundred and thirty two parking spaces will be provided. (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson)