The Bahamas · Legislation
Legislation and primary sources
Where to find the authoritative text of the law in The Bahamas, and how to confirm it is still in force.
Sources of law, ranked
- The Constitution
- Supreme law; entrenched provisions need a referendum to amend.
- Acts of Parliament
- House of Assembly and Senate.
- Received English common law and equity
- Declared in force by the Declaratory Act; developed locally.
- Judicial precedent
- Privy Council decisions bind all Bahamian courts.
The legislative process
Bills pass three readings in the House of Assembly and Senate before the Governor-General assents. Entrenched constitutional provisions, including those on citizenship and the composition of Parliament, require both a three-quarters parliamentary majority and approval by referendum, which is why constitutional change has repeatedly failed.
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