Barbados · Legislation
Legislation and primary sources
Where to find the authoritative text of the law in Barbados, and how to confirm it is still in force.
Sources of law, ranked
- The Constitution
- Supreme law; amended in 2021 to establish the republic.
- Acts of Parliament
- House of Assembly and Senate.
- Received English common law and equity
- Continued in force, developed by Barbadian and CCJ decisions.
- Judicial precedent
- Caribbean Court of Justice decisions bind; earlier Privy Council decisions remain authoritative unless departed from.
The legislative process
Bills pass three readings in the House of Assembly and the Senate, then receive presidential assent. The Senate may delay a money bill by one month and other bills by longer, but cannot block indefinitely. Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority of all members of each House.
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