Barbados · Overview
The legal system of Barbados
English common law with one of the oldest continuous legislatures in the western hemisphere, the House of Assembly having first sat in 1639. Barbados became a parliamentary republic on 30 November 2021, replacing the monarch with a President elected by Parliament. It was the first state to accept the appellate jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice when the court opened in 2005, so appeals now end in Port of Spain rather than London.
Legal tradition
Barbados belongs to the common law tradition. English common law with one of the oldest continuous legislatures in the western hemisphere, the House of Assembly having first sat in 1639. Barbados became a parliamentary republic on 30 November 2021, replacing the monarch with a President elected by Parliament. It was the first state to accept the appellate jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice when the court opened in 2005, so appeals now end in Port of Spain rather than London.
How power is divided
Unitary. Parliament legislates for the whole island and the 11 parishes have no legislative powers; there is no elected local government tier.
Where law comes from
- 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 legal profession
A fused profession of attorneys-at-law under the Legal Profession Act, admitted after a law degree and the Legal Education Certificate. The Barbados Bar Association handles professional matters and a statutory Disciplinary Committee hears complaints.
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