The question of who will succeed retiring Chief Justice Sir Michael Barnett was answered yesterday when Cabinet announced the appointment of Senior Justice Hartman Longley to the post. Sir Michael's term expires today. At the Opening of the Legal Year on January 14, Sir Michael announced his retirement as he dispelled rumors that he was being forced out of office.

Sir Michael said it was his intention to demit office upon his 60th birthday in August 2014, five years before attaining the mandatory age of retirement. He said he stayed on because of a request by the prime minister. He explained, "My decision is of my own will and for very personal reasons." There were initial reports that Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson was being considered for the post.

Sir Michael, a former FNM senator, served as attorney general prior to his appointment as chief justice in August 2009. Longley was called to the Bahamas Bar on October 6, 1976. He served as assistant counsel in the Attorney General's Chambers from 1976-1978. He also served as a magistrate in Freeport and Nassau from September 1993 to July 1995. He also held the position of chief magistrate. Longley was appointed to the Supreme Court in July, 1995 and served until 2005. On September 23, 2005 he was appointed to the Court of Appeal and returned to the Supreme Court in 2010.

Justice Hartman Longley

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