Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade presents ideas on “Taking Back Our Nation: Combating Crime” at the 3rd Annual Free Legal Clinic in Nassau at SuperClubs Breezes. Photo by Roland Rose.

Halsbury Chambers, the progressive law firm based in Nassau with offices in Exuma, has announced it will host Exuma’s first-ever free legal clinic May 31.

Called “Information You Need for the Life You Want,” the clinic will feature expert speakers from Nassau and Exuma as well as allow the public to meet one-on-one with attorneys for limited sessions without charge. Speakers will address timely topics ranging from Exuma business opportunities and clearing title on generation land to immigration and real estate in Great Exuma and the Exuma cays. The clinic will be held at St. Andrew’s Anglican Parish Community Centre, George Town, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm with registration starting at 8:30 am.

“This will be our fourth free legal clinic, but our first in Exuma and we are very excited about hosting this forum on the island,” said Halsbury Chambers partner Nerissa A. Greene. “Exuma’s dramatic growth, which has brought prosperity and allowed many Bahamians to return home or move to the island, has also raised new issues from increases in property value to immigration matters. We want to provide a forum that allows participants to discuss those matters openly with businesspersons, officials and attorneys.”

At the same time, Ms. Greene noted, growth has also boosted opportunities.

“Exumians want to know where the best opportunities are, how to get a new business idea financed, are there any bargains left in property, how to expedite work permit applications, what’s more appropriate – a will or a trust and whether there is a way to quiet the title on generation land,” she said. “We are very pleased to facilitate discussion on such issues.”

Discussion will be led by a featured speaker with two panellists available for extensive question and answer sessions.

“We believe one of the most valuable sections will be under the general theme of Empowerment,” said attorney Troy Kellman, who heads the Halsbury Chambers Exuma office. “Within that framework Bahamas Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Philip Simon will present ‘Entrepreneurship: What It Takes to Start & Succeed in Business.’ Wentworth Musgrove of British American will discuss business financing. One of our team of attorneys will review fees, licensing and name registration requirements. The purpose is to provide practical information that participants can take away with them.” Successful Exumian businesspersons will also participate, including media giant Dwight Hart and Amie Bowe of Mail Boxes Etc. A major Bahamian contractor who has completed projects in Exuma, Peter Whitehead of Osprey Development and Gunite Pools, will lead the session on succeeding in business in a Family Island.

Hundreds gathered at the 3rd Annual Free Legal Clinic at SuperClubs Breezes and enjoyed every moment. Photo by Roland Rose.

The session on real estate, including current market trends and where the buys are in Exuma, will be led by real estate veteran Judy Hurlock, President, Dillycrab Realty. Vernon Curtis of Seaside Real Estate, another prominent Exuma-based real estate broker, will discuss property buys and bargains and the panel will include an executive from platinum sponsor Bank of The Bahamas International revealing current rates, application requirements and tips for getting approved. Participants will be able to select a property at the clinic, talk with an attorney and apply for a loan or mortgage at the same time.

“If the response from our last legal clinic in Nassau when more than 300 persons overflowed the meeting space is any indication of what to expect in Exuma, we urge everyone who is interested in attending to book their seat in advance. It is free of charge but seating will be limited to 175 people. Appointments with attorneys will be made during registration,” said Kellman.

Halsbury Chambers launched the free legal clinics in 2005 as a community service. The firm hoped the clinics would lessen the perceived barrier between the legal profession and the general public. The 4^th Annual Free Legal Clinic will be held in Nassau on October 4, 2008.

Co-sponsors for the Exuma clinic include The Breeze and 98.3 The Breeze FM, Bank of The Bahamas International, BTC, British American Financial, Dillycrab Realty, ColinaImperial Insurance Ltd., Seaside Real Estate, Grand Isle Resort & Spa and Mail Boxes Etc.

To reserve a seat, e-mail dpa@dpa-media.com, phone 242-336-2263 or fax name, number of seats to be reserved and contact information to 242-336-2264.