🇧🇧 Barbados Legal System

Common Law Jurisdiction - Republic since 2021

11 Parishes
287K Population
2021 Republic

Constitution of Barbados

In force since November 30, 1966 (Amended 2021)

Constitutional Evolution

  • 1966: Independence Constitution
  • 1974: First Amendment Act
  • 2003: Constitutional Review Commission
  • 2021: Constitutional Amendment (Republic)
  • November 30, 2021: Transition to Republic
  • Dame Sandra Mason - First President
  • Removed British monarch as Head of State
PARLIAMENTARY REPUBLIC

Constitutional Structure

  • Chapter I: The State and the Constitution
  • Chapter II: Citizenship
  • Chapter III: Protection of Fundamental Rights
  • Chapter IV: The President (formerly Governor-General)
  • Chapter V: Parliament
  • Chapter VI: Executive Powers
  • Chapter VII: The Judicature
  • Chapter VIII: The Public Service
  • Chapter IX: Finance
  • Chapter X: Miscellaneous

Key Constitutional Principles

🏛️ Parliamentary Democracy

Westminster-style government system

⚖️ Rule of Law

Common law tradition maintained

🌐 Republic Status

President as Head of State since 2021

🛡️ Rights Protection

Fundamental rights entrenched

🎉 Independence Day: November 30, 1966

Barbados gained independence from the United Kingdom, maintaining its common law system and Westminster democracy. On November 30, 2021, exactly 55 years later, Barbados became a republic.

  • One of the oldest parliaments in the Commonwealth (1639)
  • Member of CARICOM and Commonwealth of Nations
  • Caribbean Court of Justice member
  • Leading international business center

Court System

Hierarchy of Courts

Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)

Final appellate court since 2005

Court of Appeal

Appellate jurisdiction

Supreme Court (High Court)

Unlimited original jurisdiction

Magistrates' Courts

Summary jurisdiction

Specialized Courts

Family, Traffic, Juvenile

Common Law System

  • English common law tradition
  • Doctrine of precedent
  • Adversarial system
  • Jury trials for indictable offenses
  • Equity principles applied
  • Statutory interpretation
  • Legal profession divided (Barristers/Solicitors)

Specialized Jurisdictions

  • Family Court
  • Drug Treatment Court
  • Traffic Court
  • Juvenile Court
  • Coroner's Court
  • Employment Rights Tribunal
  • Land Court

Fundamental Rights and Freedoms

📜 Personal Rights

  • Section 11: Right to life
  • Section 12: Right to personal liberty
  • Section 13: Protection from slavery and forced labour
  • Section 14: Protection from inhuman treatment
  • Section 15: Protection from deprivation of property
  • Section 16: Protection against arbitrary search or entry
  • Section 17: Provisions to secure protection of law

🗣️ Civil and Political Rights

  • Section 19: Protection of freedom of conscience
  • Section 20: Protection of freedom of expression
  • Section 21: Protection of freedom of assembly and association
  • Section 22: Protection of freedom of movement
  • Section 23: Protection from discrimination
  • Universal adult suffrage
  • Secret ballot

⚖️ Legal Protections

  • Habeas corpus
  • Presumption of innocence
  • Right to legal representation
  • Protection against self-incrimination
  • Right to fair hearing
  • Constitutional remedies (Section 24)
  • Ombudsman oversight

Administrative Parishes

The Eleven Parishes

Christ Church
Oistins, Airport
St. Andrew
Scotland District
St. George
Central parish
St. James
Holetown, Tourism
St. John
East coast
St. Joseph
Bathsheba
St. Lucy
Northernmost
St. Michael
Bridgetown (Capital)
St. Peter
Speightstown
St. Philip
Southeastern
St. Thomas
Central interior

Business and Commercial Law

🔱 International Business Center

Barbados is a leading international business and financial services jurisdiction with:

  • Over 40 Double Taxation Agreements
  • Strong regulatory framework
  • Skilled professional workforce
  • Political and economic stability
  • Strategic time zone (EST+1)

💼 Corporate Framework

  • Companies Act (Cap. 308)
  • International Business Companies
  • Societies with Restricted Liability
  • International Trusts
  • Foundations Act
  • Limited Partnerships
  • Segregated Cell Companies

🏦 Financial Services

  • Central Bank regulation
  • Financial Services Commission
  • International banking licenses
  • Insurance and reinsurance
  • Investment funds
  • Captive insurance
  • Fintech regulatory sandbox

📊 Tax System

  • Corporate tax: 1-5.5% (IBCs)
  • Regular corporate tax: 30%
  • VAT: 17.5%
  • No capital gains tax
  • No wealth tax
  • Tax treaty network
  • BEPS compliant

Principal Legislation

📘 Major Acts

  • Criminal Law: Penal Reform Act
  • Evidence Act: Cap. 121
  • Civil Procedure: CPR 2023
  • Family Law Act: Cap. 214
  • Employment Rights Act: 2012
  • Companies Act: Cap. 308
  • Property Act: Cap. 236

⚖️ Special Legislation

  • Domestic Violence Act: Cap. 130A
  • Trafficking in Persons Act: 2016
  • Freedom of Information Act: 2019
  • Data Protection Act: 2019
  • Electronic Transactions Act: Cap. 308B
  • Cybercrime Act: 2019

🏛️ Legal Remedies

  • Constitutional Motion: Section 24
  • Habeas Corpus: Prerogative writ
  • Judicial Review: Administrative law
  • Certiorari: Quash decisions
  • Mandamus: Compel action
  • Prohibition: Prevent ultra vires

Employment and Labor Law

👥 Employment Rights

  • Employment Rights Act 2012
  • Minimum wage protection
  • Unfair dismissal remedies
  • Maternity and paternity leave
  • Severance payments
  • Notice periods
  • Non-discrimination provisions

🏭 Industrial Relations

  • Trade Union Act
  • Collective bargaining rights
  • Industrial Court
  • Strike and lockout regulations
  • Essential services provisions
  • Labour Department mediation
  • Workplace safety laws

📋 Social Security

  • National Insurance Scheme
  • Unemployment benefits
  • Sickness benefits
  • Maternity benefits
  • Invalidity benefits
  • Old age pension
  • Employment injury benefits

Environmental Law

🌊 Coastal and Marine

  • Coastal Zone Management Act
  • Marine Pollution Control Act
  • Fisheries Act
  • Beach protection regulations
  • Coral reef conservation
  • Turtle protection laws

🌿 Land and Planning

  • Town and Country Planning Act
  • Environmental Protection Act
  • National Conservation Commission
  • Building regulations
  • Environmental impact assessments
  • Protected areas management

♻️ Sustainability

  • Renewable Energy Act
  • Returnable Containers Act
  • Solid waste management
  • Water protection regulations
  • Air quality standards
  • Climate change policies

Key Legal Institutions

⚖️

Supreme Court

High Court of Justice

🏛️

Attorney General

Chief Legal Officer

🛡️

DPP

Director of Public Prosecutions

👥

Ombudsman

Parliamentary Commissioner

📚

Bar Association

Legal profession regulation

🗳️

Electoral Commission

Elections oversight

💼

FSC

Financial Services Commission

🏦

Central Bank

Monetary authority

⚔️

Legal Aid

Access to justice

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Resources and Useful Links

🔗 Official Websites

📞 Emergency Contacts

  • 211: Police Emergency
  • 311: Fire Service
  • 511: Ambulance Service
  • Crime Stoppers: 1-800-8477
  • Child Care Board: 310-1300
  • Crisis Centre: 431-1152

📚 Legal Services

  • Legal Aid and Advice Scheme
  • Barbados Bar Association
  • Law Library
  • Community Legal Service
  • Human Rights Association
  • Consumer Protection Department