Bahamas > General provisions

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Economic Empowerment Zones (Amendment) Act, 2022 (Act No. 29 of 2022). -

Adoption: 2022-06-30 | BHS-2022-L-113260

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act, 2022 (No. 14 of 2022). -

Adoption: 2022-05-20 | BHS-2022-L-113258

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Climate Change and Carbon Market Initiatives Act, 2022 (Act No. 15 of 2022). -

Adoption: 2022-05-20 | BHS-2022-L-113259

Gives effect to the Paris Agreement, to aid in the global response to the threat of climate change and to create and implement the initiatives to offset carbon emissions.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Economic Empowerment Zones Act 2018 (No. 28 of 2018). -

Adoption: 2018-10-05 | BHS-2018-L-108324

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Anti-Terrorism Act 2018 (No. 27 of 2018). -

Adoption: 2018-08-10 | BHS-2018-L-108323

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Access to Affordable Homes Act, 2018 (No. 24 of 2018). -

Adoption: 2018-07-02 | BHS-2018-L-108322

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Proceeds of Crime Act, 2018 (No. 4 of 2018). -

Adoption: 2018-05-22 | BHS-2018-L-108321

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Employment (Amendment) Act, 2017 (No. 5 of 2017). -

Adoption: 2017-04-04 | BHS-2017-L-104827

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act, 2017 (No. 3 of 2017). -

Adoption: 2017-03-31 | BHS-2017-L-104824

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Freedom of Information Act, 2017 (No. 1 of 2017). -

Adoption: 2017-03-31 | BHS-2017-L-104826

Bahamas - General provisions - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Companies (Non-Profit Organisations) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 47 of 2014). -

Adoption: 2014-08-06 | BHS-2014-R-100367

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Penal Code (Amendment) Act, 2014 (No. 15 of 2014). -

Adoption: 2014-06-12 | BHS-2014-L-100379

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act, 2014 (No. 7 of 2014). -

Adoption: 2014-05-01 | BHS-2014-L-100378

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act, 2013 (No. 30 of 2013). -

Adoption: 2013-09-25 | BHS-2013-L-104823

Bahamas - General provisions - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

The Companies (Amendment) Act, 2013 (Appointed Day) Notice (SI No. 24 of 2013).

Adoption: 2013-03-28 | BHS-2013-R-94025

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 1(2) of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2013, the 1st day of April 2013 is appointed the day on which the Act shall come into force.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Companies (Amendment) Act, 2013 (No. 1 of 2013).

Adoption: 2013-03-12 | BHS-2013-L-94027

The principal Act is amended by the deletion, immediately before section 118, of the Division heading "Financial Disclosure" and immediately before section 118, of a few section entitled "117A Obligation to maintain accounting records".

Bahamas - General provisions - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Maritime Marriage Rules, 2013 (S.I. No. 11 of 2013).

Adoption: 2013-02-04 | BHS-2013-R-94029

Rules to regulate the conducting of marriages on board ships. Implements the Maritime Marriage Act, 2011.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Maritime Marriage (Amendment) Act, 2012 (No. 31 of 2012).

Adoption: 2012-12-28 | BHS-2012-L-94030

Amends the Long Title of the Maritime Marriage Act, 2011 to "An Act to make provision for marriages to be contracted on Bahamian Ships on the High Seas". Also amends section 2 and section 7 of the Act.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Constitutional Referendum (Amendment) Act, 2012 (No. 26 of 2012).

Adoption: 2012-12-12 | BHS-2012-L-94035

Makes numerous amendments to the principal Act. Amends both the short title and the long title of the Act. The long title now reads "An Act to provide for a framework for the conduct of a constitutional referendum or any other referendum. Inserts a new section 1A into the principal Act concerning interpretation of the word "Minister". Also amends sections 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the Act and inserts new sections 3A (Holding of any other referendum) and 3B (conduct of referendum).

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Companies (Winding Up Amendment) Act, 2011 (No. 53 of 2011). -

Adoption: 2011-12-30 | BHS-2011-L-90291

Amends the Companies Act to restate and improve the law relating to the winding up of companies. Repeals and replaces Part VII of the Principal Act.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 2011 (No. 45 of 2011). -

Adoption: 2011-11-25 | BHS-2011-L-90293

Repeals section 66 of the Act and amends sections 67, 106, 115 and 235 of the Act. Also repeals the First Schedule.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act, 2011 (No. 34 of 2011). -

Adoption: 2011-11-04 | BHS-2011-L-90307

Makes minor wording amendments to sections 7, 9, 19, 12, 213, 235, and 237. Section 170 is amended by adding a new subsection (3) concerning abolishing the right to make an unsworn statement in answer to a criminal charge. Section 173 is amended by inserting a new subsection (10) concerning court directions to the jury with respect to alibi statements. Section 176 is repealed and replaced by a new section concerning order of speeches. Section 185 is repealed and replaced by a new section concerning evidence for arriving at proper sentence. Section 213 is repealed and replaced by a new section concerning limitation of time for proceedings for summary offences. A new subsection (4A) is added to section 258 concerning voluntary bills of indictment.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act, 2011 (No. 42 of 2011). -

Adoption: 2011-11-04 | BHS-2011-L-100377

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Penal Code (Amendment) Act, 2011 (No. 34 of 2011). -

Adoption: 2011-11-03 | BHS-2011-L-90294

Amends the Penal Code by setting out the circumstances that will attract the death penalty or life imprisonment of a person convicted of murder.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Law Reform and Revision (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2011 (No. 9 of 2011). -

Adoption: 2011-06-01 | BHS-2011-L-104825

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Arbitration Act 2009 (No. 42 of 2009). -

Adoption: 2009-12-31 | Date of entry into force: 2010-05-20 | BHS-2009-L-85229

Part I - Preliminary
Part II - Arbitration Agreement
Part III - Stay of Legal Proceedings
Part IV - Commencement of Arbitral Proceedings
Part V - Confidential Information
Part VI - The Arbitral Tribunal
Part VII - Jurisdiction of the Arbitral Tribunal
Part VIII - The Arbitral Proceedings
Part IX - Powers of Court in Relation to Arbitral Proceedings
Part X - Interim measures and Preliminary Orders
Part XI - The Award
Part XII - Cost of the Arbitration
Part XIII - Powers of the Court in Relation to Award
Part XIV - Miscellaneous
Part XV - Supplementary [Repeals the Arbitration Act (Ch. 180) of 1889 as well as section 42 of the Limitation Act (Ch. 83).

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Criminal Procedure (Plea Discussion and Plea Agreement) Act, 2008 (No. 32 of 2008). -

Adoption: 2008-12-19 | Date of entry into force: 2008-12-22 | BHS-2008-L-81012

Part I - Preliminary
Part II - Plea Discussions
Part IV - Plea Agreements
Part V - General

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Penal Code (Amendment) Act, 2008 (No. 28 of 2008).

Adoption: 2008-12-09 | BHS-2008-L-81009

Inserts a new section 88A into the Penal Code concerning accessories after the fact. Also repeals sections 126 and 127 and replaces them with two new sections concerning police supervision and monitoring and requirements from persons subject to supervision.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

The Supreme Court (Amendment) Act, 2006 (No. 9 of 2006).

Adoption: 2006-05-31 | BHS-2006-L-75326

Amends sections 3 and 74.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Justice Protection Act, 2006.

Adoption: 2006-05-03 | BHS-2006-L-74778

Makes provision for the protection of witnesses.

Bahamas - General provisions - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Rules of the Supreme Court (Amendment) Rules, 2004 (S.I. No. 44 of 2004).

Adoption: 2004-06-02 | Date of entry into force: 2004-07-01 | BHS-2004-R-68763

Made under Supreme Court Act. Amends Rules of the Supreme Court. Inter alia provides for case management by court, dispute resolution conference, case management conference procedure, powers of court, pre-trial review, and some related matters.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Data Protection (Privacy of Personal Information) Act, 2003. -

Adoption: 2003 | BHS-2003-L-66855

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Bahamas Constitution (Amendment) (No. 3) Act, 2002. -

Adoption: 2002-03-08 | BHS-2002-L-62120

Replaces Article 78 of the Constitution. Regulates functions of the Attorney-General.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Bahamas Constitution (Amendment) (No. 4) Act, 2002. -

Adoption: 2002-03-08 | BHS-2002-L-62121

Inserts a Chapter VIa into the Constitution on the Director of Public Prosecutions which provides for establishment of his office. Also regulates remuneration and tenure of office.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Bahamas Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 2002. -

Adoption: 2002-02-01 | BHS-2002-L-62122

Inserts Article 70(a) into the Constitution. Provides for establishment of office and functions of Parliamentary Commissioner. Parliamentary Commissioner shall have general responsibility for, and shall supervise, the registration of electors for the election of members of the House of Assembly and the conduct of elections of such members. Also regulates remuneration, and tenure of office of Parliamentary Commissioner.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Bahamas Constitution (Amendment) (No. 5) Act, 2002. -

Adoption: 2002-02-01 | BHS-2002-L-62123

Amends Chapter VIII of the Constitution by inserting a Part Va which provides for establishment, composition and functions of the Teaching Service Commission.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Employment Act, 2001 (No. 27 of 2001) (CH.321A). -

Adoption: 2001-12-31 | BHS-2001-L-60973

Comprehensive legislation on conditions of employment. Part II sets forth standard hours of work, and regulates overtime pay. Parts III-V provide for sick leave, vacation leave, maternity leave and family leave. Part VI make provision for redundancy payments; Part VII regulates termination of employment with notice. Parts VIII and IX deal with summary dismissal and unfair dismissal. Part X sets forth prohibition to employ a child, and regulates working conditions in respect of young persons. Jobs for which children may be employed are listed in Schedule 1. Part XI regulates payment of wages. Part XII establishes that no employer shall require any person to furnish a set of his fingerprints or take a lie detector test as a requirement for employment. Repeals Employment of Children Prohibition Act, Employment of Young Persons Act, Fair Labour Standards Act, and Female Employees (Grant of Maternity Leave) Act.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Guarantee of Loans (Tourism Development) Act, 1998 (No. 33 of 1998). -

Adoption: 1998-08-12 | Date of entry into force: 1998-08-14 | BHS-1998-L-81014

An Act to provide for the guarantee by the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas of loans by financial institutions for Family Island touristic development and for purposes connected thereto.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Guarantee of Loans (Small Businesses) Act, 1998 (No. 25 of 1998). -

Adoption: 1998-07-24 | Date of entry into force: 1998-08-14 | BHS-1998-L-81015

An Act to provide for the guarantee by the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas of loans by financial institutions to small business and for purposes connected thereto.

Bahamas - General provisions - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Rules of the Supreme Court (Amendment) Rules, 1997 (S.I. No. 92 of 1997).

Adoption: 1997-12-02 | BHS-1997-R-49084

Amends Order 53 of the Supreme Court rules regarding cases appropriate for application for judical review, grant of leave for judicial review, claims for damages, and related matters.

Bahamas - General provisions - International agreement

Convention créant l'Association des Etats de la Caraïbe (ensemble deux annexes), faite à Carthagène des Indes le 24 juillet 1994 (publiée par le décret n° 98-450 du 4 juin 1998). -

Adoption: 1994-07-24 | INT-1994-IA-50297

L'Association est un organisme de consultation, de concertation et de coopération dont l'objectif est d'identifier et de promouvoir la mise en oeuvre de politiques et de programmes visant notamment à renforcer, utiliser et développer les capacités collectives de la Caraïbe afin de parvenir à un développement soutenu dans les domaines culturel, économique, social, scientifique et technologique. La participation de la France est ouverte comme membre associé au titre de la Guadeloupe, de la Guyane et de la Martinique.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Companies Act, 1992 (No. 18 of 1992), as amended. -

Adoption: 1992 | Date of entry into force: 1992-08-01 | BHS-1992-L-66894

Comprehensive legislation on companies. Divided into 10 parts. Part 1 (s. 1-2) contains preliminary provisions. Part 2 (s. 3-34) regulates constitution and incorporation of companies. Part 3 (s. 35-83) provides for share capital, share holders and related matters. Part 4 (s. 84-160) deals with management of companies and protection of creditors and investors. Part 5 (s. 161-168) makes provision for merger, consolidation and consequential matters. Part 6 (s. 169-191) regulates incorporation and registration of other companies. Part 7 (s. 192-275) provides for winding-up of companies. Part 8 (s. 276-284) deals with administrative matters. Part 9 (s. 285-306) makes provision for civil remedies, civil penalties and offences. Part 10 (s. 307-312) contains miscellaneous provisions.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Cap. 100). -

Adoption: 1991-10-01 | BHS-1991-L-104842

1. Short title.
2. Interpretation.
3. Rehabilitated persons and spent convictions.
4. The rehabilitation period applicable to a conviction.
5. Effect of rehabilitation.
6. Limitations on rehabilitation under this Act.
7. Defamation actions.
8. Unauthorised disclosure of spent convictions.
9. Amendment of First and Third Schedules

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Sexual Offences Act, 1991 (Cap. 99). -

Adoption: 1991-07-29 | Date of entry into force: 1991-08-02 | BHS-1991-L-100376

An Act to amend the law relating to sexual offences and to make provision in respect of related circumstances involving parties to a marriage.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Referendum Act (Ch. 1) (No. 16 of 1977). (Constitutional Referendum Act (Ch. 1) (No. 16 of 1977).) -

Adoption: 1977-12-29 | BHS-1977-L-94034

An Act to provide for the manner in which a vote shall be taken for the purpose of obtaining the approval of the electors with respect to a Bill which seeks to alter certain Articles of the Constitution of The Bahamas.

Bahamas - General provisions - Constitution

Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. -

Adoption: 1973-06-20 | Date of entry into force: 1973-07-10 | BHS-1973-C-16270

Independence attained 10 July. Schedule contains the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas (Ch. III: Protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual).

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Genocide Act (Chapter 85) (No.29 of 1969). -

Adoption: 1969-12-19 | BHS-1969-L-78671

Provides that genocide as defined in Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 9th December 1948 shall be punishable in the Bahamas by the death penalty or imprisonment.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Criminal Procedure Code Act (Chapter 91) (No. 38 of 1968). -

Adoption: 1968-12-31 | Date of entry into force: 1969-04-02 | BHS-1968-L-81010

Makes provisions for the procedure to be followed in criminal cases.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Prisons Act (Chapter 208) (No. 22 of 1943). -

Adoption: 1943-06-01 | Date of entry into force: 1943-08-10 | BHS-1943-L-81013

Provides for the establishment and government of prisons. Article 13 deals with the employment of prisoners including hard labour.

Bahamas - General provisions - Law, Act

Capital Punishment Procedure Act (Cap. 94) (No. 7 of 1926). -

Adoption: 1926-03-22 | BHS-1926-L-94040

1. Short title and interpretation.
2. Form of sentence of death.
3. Judge to forward notes of evidence to Minister.
4. Governor-General to communicate to judge copy of any order made.
5. Death warrant.
6. Provost Marshal to carry out sentence.
7. Place of execution.
8. Persons present at execution.
9. Medical officer to certify.
10. Coroner to hold inquest.
11. Place of burial.
12. Immateriality of time and place of execution mentioned in judgment.
13. Saving as to non-compliance with directions.
14. Rules.
15. Sentence of death not to be passed on pregnant woman
16. In case of pardon for capital offence Governor-General may order penal servitude.
17. Forms may be varied.