Saint Lucia · Overview
The legal system of Saint Lucia
The clearest mixed jurisdiction in the Commonwealth Caribbean, reflecting fourteen changes of hands between France and Britain. Private law is codified: the Civil Code of Saint Lucia of 1879 was drawn from the Civil Code of Lower Canada, itself based on the Code Napoléon, and still governs obligations, property and succession. Procedure, evidence, criminal law and public law are English common law. Saint Lucia shares the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court with five OECS neighbours and has accepted the appellate jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice.
Legal tradition
Saint Lucia belongs to the mixed civil and common law tradition. The clearest mixed jurisdiction in the Commonwealth Caribbean, reflecting fourteen changes of hands between France and Britain. Private law is codified: the Civil Code of Saint Lucia of 1879 was drawn from the Civil Code of Lower Canada, itself based on the Code Napoléon, and still governs obligations, property and succession. Procedure, evidence, criminal law and public law are English common law. Saint Lucia shares the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court with five OECS neighbours and has accepted the appellate jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice.
How power is divided
Unitary. Parliament legislates for the whole state; the ten quarters are administrative, and local government operates through town and village councils with delegated powers.
Where law comes from
- The Constitution
- Supreme law.
- Civil Code of Saint Lucia
- Codified private law of Quebec and ultimately French origin; the distinctive feature of the jurisdiction.
- Acts of Parliament
- House of Assembly and Senate.
- English common law and equity
- Governs procedure, evidence, criminal law and public law, and fills gaps in the Code.
The legal profession
A fused profession of attorneys-at-law admitted by the High Court under the Legal Profession Act 2000, after a law degree and the Legal Education Certificate. Practitioners must be familiar with both the Civil Code and common-law technique, which is unusual in the region.
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