Apply To Join The Bahamas Bar
Join the Bahamas Bar
Membership in the Bahamas Bar Association is mandatory for attorneys practicing law in The Bahamas. However, admittance is limited to Bahamian citizens. Attorneys of other nationalities can become registered associates.
Bahamian applicants must submit the Application for General Admission to the Bahamas Bar Association at least six weeks before their date of Call. Find the application requirements here.
If you are a foreign citizen looking to represent a client in The Bahamas you need to make an application for special admission to the Bar. The requirements for this application are here.
If you need help or would like more information please contact us.
Kahlil D. Parker KC
President of The Bahamas Bar Association
General Admission to the Bahamas Bar Association
If you are a Bahamian citizen and an attorney, you must apply for admission to the Bahamas Bar Association to legally practice in the country. If you are a foreign citizen, you need to make a special application. Learn about that process here.
Bahamian applicants must submit the following materials to the Bar Council at least six weeks before their date of Call for admission to the Bahamas Bar:
- Cover letter, including your telephone contact and the name, telephone contact and date of Call of your presenter.
- One (1) original and ten (10) copies of the following documents for consideration:
- Petition (signed and undated)
- Affidavit in Support of Petition, including ALL exhibits:
- Curriculum vitae
- Copies of certificates
- First FOUR pages of your passport
- Three character references: two from financially current Bahamas Bar Association members of 5 years Call to the Bar, one from a non-lawyer.
- Police certificate from the Royal Bahamas Police Force
- Affidavit pursuant to Section 12 of the Legal Profession Act
- Affidavit of authenticity
- The non-refundable processing fee of $100.00
Please note:
- All documents to be filed in the Supreme Court should be on letter-size bond paper (8 ½ x 11”).
- Margins should be: left 1 ½”, right 1”, top 1”, bottom 1”
- Documents are NOT to be signed or notarised until Bar Council approval.
- Petitions and Affidavits should NOT be bound. They may be stapled or paper clipped.
- The exhibits must be clearly marked and placed BEHIND the Certificate in the Affidavit, followed by the backing sheet.
- The Petition and two Affidavits are three separate documents. Do not staple them.
- The three references must include their addresses.
Applications that do not follow the prescribed format will NOT be accepted by the Bahamas Bar Association.
If you have any questions about the application or need more information, please contact us.
Tara Rolle-Knowles
Honorary Secretary of The Bahamas Bar Association
Special Admission to the Bahamas Bar Association
If you are a non-Bahamian attorney you must make a special application to the Bahamas Bar Association in order to represent anyone locally.
Here are the things you will need to apply
- A letter of application
- An affidavit by local counsel, which includes details of:
- The parties of the action
- The nature of the matter
- The stage of proceedings
- The complexity of the matter
- Evidence of the non-availability of local counsel
- Evidence that the interest of justice will be served
- Two character references
- A certificate of good standing from your Bar
- A curriculum vitae
- The non-refundable processing fee of $1,000.00
- Evidence that Counsel on the other side have been informed of your intention to make application
If you have any questions about the application or need more information, please contact us.
Kahlil D. Parker KC
President of The Bahamas Bar Association
Presidential Message
Welcome to The Bahamas Bar Association website. Our mission is to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics within the legal community.
Here, our members will find valuable resources, updates, and support to aid their legal practices, and the public will find guidance and information to aid in navigating our regulatory functions.
We are committed to serving our members and the public by ensuring continued access to justice and preserving the rule of law.