The Tribune

NINE months after it was formed by the government, the Constitutional Commission will submit its report on Monday, July 8, in time for the 40th anniversary of independence.

Prime Minister the Perry Christie announced the formation of the commission on August 1, 2012.

He gave it a broad mandate to conduct a comprehensive review of the Constitution of the Bahamas and recommend changes.

Once approved by the Cabinet and passed by the legislature, these changes will require a national referendum to be held so that the will of the Bahamian people can be determined.

Sean McWeeney, QC, a former Attorney General and leading member of the bar, chaired the commission, whose members are drawn from the legal fraternity, academia and civil society, including several Family Island representatives and community leaders.

The commissioners include:

• Carl Bethel, a former Attorney General and Minister of Education.

• Loren Klein, a senior lawyer in the Office of the Attorney General.

• Justice Rubie Nottage (retired), associate professor in law at the College of the Bahamas.

• Mark Wilson, long serving retired Permanent Secretary and educator.

• Lester Mortimer, a lawyer and partner at Callenders and Co.

• Tara Cooper-Burnside, a lawyer and partner at Higgs and Johnson.

• Dr Olivia Saunders, a lecturer at the College of the Bahamas.

• Michael Albury, a community leader and hotelier from Abaco.

• Chandra Sands, businesswoman and entrepreneur from Eleuthera.

• Michael Stevenson, law professor at the College of the Bahamas.

• Carla Brown-Roker, retired teacher from Grand Bahama.

•Brandace Duncanson, legal draftsperson in the Law Reform Commission.

• Thelma Beneby, retired Permanent Secretary.

• Pastor and lawyer Darren Hendfield.