Barbados Government and Legal System

The following Government profile, details the structure of the Barbados Government providing information about Parliament, the Cabinet, the Constitution and the legal system.

Information assumed accurate on March 2nd, 2011.
 

Capital	Bridgetown, St. Michael
Elections	Held every5years (Due by 2013).
Administrative Divisions	Barbados is divided into 11 parishes. They are: Christ Church, St. Andrew, St. George, St. James, St. John, St. Joseph, St. Lucy, St. Michael, St. Peter, St. Philip and St. Thomas. Use the Interactive Map to learn more.
Independence	On 30th November 1966, Barbados gained its independence from the United Kingdom.
Constitution	The constitution was ratified on November 30th 1966. It is interesting to note that Barbados has one of the oldest Westminster-style parliaments in the western hemisphere. It has been in existence for 369 years.
Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Parliament	Chief of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since Feb.6th 1952). Governor General: Sir Clifford Straughn Husbands (since June 1st 1996). This person is not elected, but is appointed by The Monarch (Head of State). Head of Government: The Hon. Freundel Stuart, Q.C. (since May 2010). The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the majority party and is appointed by the Governor-General of Barbados. The Senate: This is the upper house and consists of seven members who are chosen by the Governor General, 12 by the Prime Minister and two by the Leader of the Opposition. The House of Assembly: The House of Assembly is the majority party and has 30 members. The House of Assembly is voted for by the public of Barbados every five years. This is currently The Democratic Labour Party.   Elections: House of Assembly - These general elections do not have fixed dates, but must be called within five years of the opening of parliament following the last election. Earlier elections can occur in certain situations. Having been a British colony, the elections system is fashioned after the British system. The elections were last held on January 15, 2008 so the next elections are to be held by January 2013.
Executive Powers	The Cabinet: This is the Prime Minister and a minimum of 5 Ministers who are appointed by the Governor General on advice of the Prime Minister. Leader of the opposition: Appointed by the Governor General, and usually holds the party's majority views. The Privy General: Appointed by the Governor General and The Prime Minister.
Judicial Branch	Supreme Court of Judicature (judges are appointed by the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Services).
Political Parties and Leaders	Democratic Labour Party (DLP) - The Hon. Freundel Stuart (this party has been in power since Jan 2008, and is considered to be a social democratic party) Barbados Labour Party (BLP) - Rt. Hon. Owen Arthur (this party is ideologically similar to the Democratic Labour Party) Peoples Empowerment Party (PEP) - David Comissiong (this is the 'leftist' party)
Unions and Leaders	Barbados Workers Union - Leroy Trotman National Union of Public Workers - Joseph Goddard Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners - Dr. Carlos Chase Clement Payne Labour Union - David Comissiong
Legal System	Barbados' legal system is derived from English common law and statutes. The courts administer the laws of Barbados, which consist solely of local legislation. The judicial system comprises a lower Magistrates court and the Supreme Court, which includes a Court of Appeal and a High Court. The Attorney General is responsible for the administration of the legal and judicial system. Final appeal from Barbadian courts used to be to the Privy Council in England. Since the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), based in Trinidad and Tobago, the CCJ has superseded the Privy Council.