Protocol Guidance

It is important to observe protocol at official ceremonies. The following information is designed to serve as guidance for persons organising and taking part in official ceremonies.

Order of Precedence

The order of precedence is endorsed by Executive Council and approved by Her Majesty the Queen. It is to be observed on official occasions. It is as follows:

• Governor
• Chief Justice
• Premier
• Speaker of the House of Assembly
• Deputy Premier
• other Ministers in order of seniority (date of appointment)
• Attorney General
• Deputy Governor
• High Court Judges (in order of seniority)
• Leader of the Opposition
• Deputy Speaker
• Other members of the House of Assembly in order of seniority (date of election)
• Chairman of the Public Service Commission
• Chairman of the Financial Services Commission

Mode of Address (Oral)

• The correct mode of addressing the Governor on formal occasions is: “Your Excellency the Governor, Mr/Mrs ABC”
• The Premier should be addressed as: “The Premier, the Honourable E.F.G.”
• The Speaker of the House should be addressed as: “The Speaker, the Honourable H.I.J.”
• The title “Honourable” is attached to the name rather than the office.
• When the Premier is away and the Deputy Premier is by authority performing the Chief Minister’s functions, it is still correct on formal occasions to address him/her as “the Deputy Premier, the Honourable K.L.M.”. (Although neither the notion of acting in the office of Premier nor the title “Acting Premier” is known to the Constitution, the title is in common use and accepted.)
• A High Court Judge may be addressed as: “The Honourable Mr. Justice A.B.”
• The Deputy Governor has no title as such, and is simple Mr., Mrs., or Miss unless the holder of the position otherwise has a persons title such as “Dr.”
• Spouses are generally recognized or greeted in the formal recital at the same time as the dignitaries to whom they are married.
• It is not necessary or desirable at public functions for each speaker to recite the long list of dignitaries. The Chairman or Master of Ceremonies should perform that function. Subsequent speakers need only use a shortened form such as, “Mr. Chairman, Your Excellency, the Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.”