Belize · Government
Government and administration in Belize
How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.
The three branches
- Head of State — The Crown, represented by the Governor-General
- Acts on the advice of Cabinet.
- Executive — Prime Minister and Cabinet
- Drawn from and accountable to the National Assembly.
- Legislative — National Assembly
- House of Representatives (31 elected) and appointed Senate (14).
- Judicial — High Court and Court of Appeal
- Judges appointed on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission.
How legislation is made
A bill passes three readings in the House of Representatives, then the Senate, and receives the Governor-General's assent. Money bills originate in the House. Constitutional amendments need a two-thirds majority of all House members, and certain entrenched provisions require three-quarters.
Enforcement institutions
- Director of Public Prosecutions
- Constitutionally independent control of criminal prosecutions.
- Belize Police Department
- National force under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Office of the Ombudsman
- Investigates maladministration; reports to the National Assembly.
Government bodies and regulators
- judicialSupreme Court of BelizeSuperior court of record with unlimited original jurisdiction.
- judicialCourt of AppealIntermediate appellate court.
- executiveOffice of the Director of Public ProsecutionsConstitutionally independent prosecutor.
- legislativeNational AssemblyBicameral Westminster legislature.
- independentOffice of the OmbudsmanInvestigates maladministration by public bodies.
- independentElections and Boundaries CommissionAdministers elections and the register of electors.
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