Guyana · Legislation
Legislation and primary sources
Where to find the authoritative text of the law in Guyana, and how to confirm it is still in force.
Sources of law, ranked
- Constitution
- Supreme law; inconsistent legislation is void.
- Acts of Parliament
- Including the Civil Law of Guyana Act, which fixed the common-law reception.
- Common law and equity, with residual Roman-Dutch law
- Roman-Dutch principles survive in immovable property and prescription.
- Judicial precedent
- Binding; decisions of the Caribbean Court of Justice bind all Guyanese courts.
The legislative process
Bills are read three times in the National Assembly, considered in committee, and assented to by the President, who may withhold assent and return a bill once. Money bills are the executive's initiative. Ordinary amendment of the Constitution needs two-thirds of all elected members; deeply entrenched articles additionally require approval at a referendum.
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