Making Laws in The Bahamas

​SoSocial Studies book 6 chapter 6

​There are two types of laws in The Bahamas

​Common Law

and

Statute Law​

(case law)​ - this law is unwritten

- this law is written down

​

Laws can be placed into categories:

1. Civil law - disagreements/problems/disputes between private citizens​

​

2. ​ Criminal law - offences punishible by the State/Government

Multiple Choice

Is this situation an example of a civil or a criminal matter?

Mr. Johnson asked his neighbor, Mr. Smith to please stop his children from picking his mangoes. Mr. Smith said, "Half of the tree is in my yard, so the mangoes are mine as well." An argument began and the police were called to the scene and both men were cautioned and asked to take the matter to court if they could not settle the disagreement among themselves.

• Civil law

• Criminal law

​How are laws made?

​2. The minister who is in charge for the department/ministry that wants the new law discusses it with legal draftsmen.

​1. The government decides if a new law is needed.

3. The intended new law (a BILL) is drafted by the government lawyers to make sure it is worded correctly.​

4. When Cabinet is satisfied with the wording of the BILL, other people in Parliament get to review it and it is Read and Debated on by Members of Parliament and later by Senators.

​Debating a Bill

The public learns about a BILL from the media. Getting the information about the BILL out to the people helps the Members of Parliament find out how the people feel about the proposed new LAW.​

Multiple Choice

Which are examples of media?

• newspapers

  libraries

  pamphlets

• television

  newspapers

  books

• books

  pamphlets

  gossip

• radio

  newspapers

  television

• Not here

​Once a BILL has been debated and voted on in the Lower House, it moves to the Upper House for their round of debating and a vote. If it gets a final approval from the Senate, it moves on to ONE person to sign it so it can become an ACT of PARLIAMENT - A LAW.

Multiple Choice

Who signs BILLS to make them LAWS in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas?

• Perry Christie

• Brave Davis

• The Prime Minister

• Sir Milo Butler

• The Governor General

​This was just an overview of chapter 6.

Please read the chapter BEFORE the next class.​