Foreign Service Appeal Tribunal Members Sworn In During Diplomatic Week 2026

For Immedite Release
26 October 2026

NAASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas marked a significant milestone in the modernization of its Foreign Service on 21 October 2026, with the swearing-in of members of the Foreign Service Appeal Tribunal during Diplomatic Week 2026 at MargaritavilleBeach Resort, Nassau, Bahamas.

Her Ladyship Senior Justice Cheryl Grant Thompson administered the oath to the Tribunal members, formally advancing the establishment of a mechanism through which Foreign Service officers may appeal certain decisions affecting their careers.

The Tribunal comprises Her Ladyship Retired Justice Cheryl Albury, who will serve as Chair; Mr. Peter Deveaux Isaacs, a former Permanent Secretary who has served in both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diplomatic Service; and Ambassador Sharon Brennen Haylock, former Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a current member of the United Nations Administration and Budget Committee.

Established under Section 9 of the Foreign Service Act, 2025, the Tribunal is mandated to hear appeals from members of the Foreign Service who are aggrieved by decisions of the Foreign Service Committee under Section 8(3) of the Act. Its establishment provides a formal avenue for review, reinforcing the principles of fairness, transparency and accountability in the administration of the country’s diplomatic service.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, the Honourable Frederick Mitchell, the Minister of State for Immigration, the Honourable Darron Pickstock, described the swearing-in as a historic development for the Foreign Service. He underscored the importance of having an impartial mechanism through which officers can seek a review of decisions affecting their professional careers.

Minister Pickstock also highlighted the extensive experience and expertise of the Tribunal members, expressing confidence in their ability to discharge their responsibilities with impartiality, justice and fairness.

Her Ladyship Senior Justice Grant Thompson described the Tribunal as an innovative feature of the Foreign Service Act, 2025, reflecting the continued modernization of the Bahamian diplomatic service. She noted that the Tribunal is intended to strengthen accountability, transparency and fairness in the management of Foreign Service personnel.

The swearing-in marks an important step in bringing the Tribunal into operation and establishing a more structured framework for addressing grievances within the Foreign Service.

Her Ladyship Retired Justice Cheryl Albury, the Tribunal’s Chair, welcomed the opportunity to serve alongside her fellow members, noting that the Tribunal had initially been appointed in 2025 and was now positioned to advance its work.

As a newly established body, the Tribunal has had to develop its own working methods and procedures. Following their initial appointment, members held several meetings during 2025 and 2026, undertaking preliminary research and laying the groundwork for protocols to guide the Tribunal’s work and assist future members.

The next phase will involve onboarding staff and engaging Foreign Service officers to explain the Tribunal’s mandate, its procedures and the process for filing grievances.

Through this work, the Foreign Service Appeal Tribunal aims to establish a clear and consistent framework for the fair and transparent consideration of appeals, strengthening confidence in the processes that govern the country’s diplomatic service.

For further information, please contact:

Foreign Service Appeal Tribunal
Email: foreignserviceappealstribunal@bahamas.gov.bs

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Pictured during the Swearing-in Ceremony, 21 October 2026, at Margaritaville Beach Resort, Nassau, The Bahamas, from left are: Mr. Kemi Jones, Deputy Director General, Department of Foreign Service, Ambassador Sharon Brennen-Haylock, member of the Foreign Service Appeals Tribunal, Her Ladyship Retired Justice Cheryl Albury, Chair of the Foreign Service Appeals Tribunal, the Honourable Darron Pickstock, Minister of State for Immigration, Her Ladyship Senior Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson, Mr. Peter Deveaux-Isaacs, member of the Foreign Service Appeals Tribunal