Barbados · Courts
Court structure of Barbados
Every tier of the judiciary, what it hears, and where an appeal goes next.
The hierarchy, top to bottom
- Final appellate — Caribbean Court of Justice
- Appellate jurisdiction accepted in 2005; Barbados was the first state to do so.
- Appellate — Court of Appeal
- Part of the Supreme Court of Judicature.
- Superior first instance — High Court
- Civil, criminal and family divisions.
- First instance — Magistrates' Courts
- Summary jurisdiction across five districts.
Every court in the hierarchy
- internationalPort of SpainCaribbean Court of JusticeFinal appeal in civil and criminal matters from this state, replacing the Privy Council. Also exercises an original jurisdiction over the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas binding on all CARICOM members.
- appellateBridgetownCourt of AppealAppeals from the High Court and from Magistrates' Courts in civil and criminal matters.
- first-instanceBridgetownHigh CourtUnlimited civil and criminal jurisdiction, constitutional redress under section 24, family matters and admiralty.
- first-instanceBridgetownMagistrates' CourtsSummary criminal offences, preliminary enquiries into indictable charges, small civil claims, and family and maintenance matters.
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