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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 January 21st, 2008
| Capital | Bridgetown, St. Michael
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| Elections | Held every 5 years (Due by 2013)
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| 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.
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| Independence | On 30th November 1966, Barbados gained its independence from the United Kingdom.
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| Constitution | The constitution was ratified on 30th November 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.
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| 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 Since the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), based in Trinidad and Tobago, the CCJ has superseded the Privy Council.
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| Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal
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| Executive Branch | Chief of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since 6 Feb. 1952)
Governor General: Sir Clifford Straughn Husbands (since 1 June 1996)
Head of Government: Prime Minister David Thompson (since Jan 16, 2008)
There is no Deputy Prime Minister.
Cabinet: appointed by Governor General on advice of Prime Minister
Elections: None as the monarch is hereditary. The Gov. General is appointed by the monarch. Following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the Gov. General. The PM may recommend a deputy PM.
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| Legislative Branch | Bicameral Parliament - Consists of the Senate (21 members appointed by Gov. General) and the House of Assembly (30 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms).
Elections: House of Assembly - last held January 15, 2008. Next elections to be held by January 2013.
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| Judicial Branch | Supreme Court of Judicature (judges are appointed by the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Services).
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| Political Parties and Leaders | Barbados Labour Party (BLP) - Mia Mottley
Democratic Labour Party (DLP) - David Thompson
Peoples Empowerment Party (PEP) - David Comissiong
| | Unions and Leaders | Barbados Workers Union - Leroy Trotman
National Union of Public Workers - Denis Clarke
Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners - Dr. Carlos Chase
Clement Payne Labour Union - David Comissiong |
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