Saint Lucia · Government
Government and administration in Saint Lucia
How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.
The three branches
- Head of state — The King, represented by the Governor-General
- Acts on ministerial advice.
- Executive — Cabinet led by the Prime Minister
- Responsible to the House of Assembly.
- Legislative — Parliament
- House of Assembly (17 elected) and Senate (11 appointed).
- Judicial — Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
- Shared with five other OECS states; judges appointed by the regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission.
How legislation is made
Bills pass three readings in the House of Assembly and the Senate before the Governor-General assents. The Senate may delay but not veto. Most constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority of the House, and certain entrenched provisions require a three-quarters majority plus approval by referendum.
Enforcement institutions
- Royal Saint Lucia Police Force
- National police service, including a marine unit.
- Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
- Independent prosecution authority.
- Parliamentary Commissioner (Ombudsman)
- Investigates administrative complaints.
- Financial Services Regulatory Authority
- Supervises international financial services and credit unions.
Government bodies and regulators
- executiveAttorney General's ChambersPrincipal legal adviser to the government.
- independentOffice of the Director of Public ProsecutionsIndependent authority for criminal prosecutions.
- executiveRegistry of Companies and Intellectual PropertyRegisters companies, business names and intellectual property.
- independentFinancial Services Regulatory AuthoritySupervises international financial services and credit unions.
- independentOffice of the Parliamentary CommissionerInvestigates administrative injustice.
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