Surrounded by family, friends and colleagues, including Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell and Chief Justice Sir Burton Hall, Mrs. Albury was all smiles during the signing of documents, presided over by Deputy to the Governor General, Paul Adderely.
Mrs. Albury took an oath to do her best to serve the government as a Supreme Court Justice, and said that she hopes to bring wisdom to the bench.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by this opportunity to continue my service at a higher level,” said Mrs. Albury, who takes her post immediately.
With the addition of Mrs. Albury to the bench, the country now has eight Supreme Court justices in New Providence and two in Grand Bahama.
Twelve justices are required to make up a full slate in the Supreme Court.
The newly appointed justice has an extensive background in the legal profession.
Mrs. Albury previously served as deputy chief magistrate and was called to The Bahamas Bar in 1985.
She was appointed a stipendiary and circuit magistrate in 1989 and has presided as a magistrate in the traffic, juvenile, civil and criminal courts, and acted as registrar of the Court of Appeal.
Since 2000 she has presided in the family court. As a magistrate, Mrs. Albury has represented The Bahamas at several international forums.
In 1998 she completed an intensive judicial education course at Dalhousie University and is a fellow of the Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute. She is also a trained mediator in alternative dispute resolution.
Mrs. Albury was appointed senior magistrate in 2003 and deputy chief magistrate in 2005.
Prior to entering the legal profession, Mrs. Albury worked as a teacher and as a public administrator in various government ministries. She previously served as chairman of the Rent Control Board and currently serves as legal advisor to the New Providence Licensing Authority.
Mrs. Albury was born in Exuma but received her early education in New Providence.
She is a graduate of Government High School and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and English from the University of the West Indies. She also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Miami.
Mrs. Albury’s hobbies include writing, reading, gourmet cooking and travel.
She is married to Basil Albury and has two daughters and three grandchildren.
By: Bianca Symonette, The Bahama Journal
