Supreme Court of Barbados
Encyclopedia
The Supreme Court of Judicature of Barbados is the highest judicial body in the country of Barbados
. It is made up of the High Court and the Court of Appeals.
Appeals from the Supreme Court can be further referred to the jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice
(CCJ).
, Criminal
, and Family
branches.
The Court of Appeals handles appeals from the High Court and Magistrate Courts, and hears appeals in both the civil and criminal branches of law. It may consist of a single Justice of Appeal sitting in Chambers, or as a Full Court of three Justices of Appeal.
Judges of the High Court:
(CCJ), (based in Port Of Spain
, Trinidad and Tobago
), is the court of last resort (final jurisdiction) for Barbados. It replaced the London
-based Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
(JCPC) in 2003, upon the passage of both the Caribbean Court of Justice Act and the Constitution (Amendment) Act by the Parliament of Barbados
. These acts were brought into force by Proclamation on April 8, 2005; allowing the CCJ to supersede the Privy Council as the court of final Appellate Jurisdiction
. The CCJ is also entrusted with the power to resolve disputes dealing with the Caribbean (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME).
, in the office of the Chief Justice/Justice of Appeal/Judge of the High Court and I will do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of Barbados without fear or favour, affection or ill will. So help me God.
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
. It is made up of the High Court and the Court of Appeals.
Appeals from the Supreme Court can be further referred to the jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice
Caribbean Court of Justice
The Caribbean Court of Justice is the judicial institution of the Caribbean Community . Established in 2001, it is based in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago....
(CCJ).
Functions
The High Court consists of CivilCivil law (common law)
Civil law, as opposed to criminal law, is the branch of law dealing with disputes between individuals or organizations, in which compensation may be awarded to the victim...
, Criminal
Criminal law
Criminal law, is the body of law that relates to crime. It might be defined as the body of rules that defines conduct that is not allowed because it is held to threaten, harm or endanger the safety and welfare of people, and that sets out the punishment to be imposed on people who do not obey...
, and Family
Family law
Family law is an area of the law that deals with family-related issues and domestic relations including:*the nature of marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships;...
branches.
The Court of Appeals handles appeals from the High Court and Magistrate Courts, and hears appeals in both the civil and criminal branches of law. It may consist of a single Justice of Appeal sitting in Chambers, or as a Full Court of three Justices of Appeal.
Composition
Justices of Appeal:- The Hon. Acting Chief Justice and President Mr. Sherman Moore. (Due to the stepping down of Sir David Simmons KA, B.C.H.
- The Hon. Mr. Justice Frederick Waterman
- The Hon. Mr. Justice Peter Williams
- The Hon. Mr. Justice John Connell
- The Hon. Mr. Justice Sherman Moore
Judges of the High Court:
- The Hon. Madam Justice Elneth Kentish
- The Hon. Mr. Justice Christopher Blackman G.C.M
- The Hon. Mr. Justice William Chandler
- The Hon. Madam Justice Margaret Reifer
- The Hon. Madam Justice Kaye Goodridge
- The Hon. Mr. Justice Randall Worrell
- The Hon. Madam Justice Jacqueline Cornelius
- Dr. The Hon. Madam Justice Sonia Richards
Apointment of justices
Justices are appointed by the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Services.Building
The Supreme Court is located in a five-storey reinforced concrete structure of 183000 square feet (17,001.3 m²) which includes both civil and criminal courts, together with office accommodation and facilities for judges, juries, attorneys, prisoners, and the public, as well as the Registry and Records offices.Caribbean Court of Justice
The Caribbean Court of JusticeCaribbean Court of Justice
The Caribbean Court of Justice is the judicial institution of the Caribbean Community . Established in 2001, it is based in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago....
(CCJ), (based in Port Of Spain
Port of Spain
Port of Spain, also written as Port-of-Spain, is the capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the country's third-largest municipality, after San Fernando and Chaguanas. The city has a municipal population of 49,031 , a metropolitan population of 128,026 and a transient daily population...
, Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
), is the court of last resort (final jurisdiction) for Barbados. It replaced the London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
-based Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is one of the highest courts in the United Kingdom. Established by the Judicial Committee Act 1833 to hear appeals formerly heard by the King in Council The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) is one of the highest courts in the United...
(JCPC) in 2003, upon the passage of both the Caribbean Court of Justice Act and the Constitution (Amendment) Act by the Parliament of Barbados
Parliament of Barbados
The Parliament of Barbados is the national legislature of Barbados. It is accorded legislative supremacy by Chapter V of the Constitution of Barbados. The Parliament is bicameral in composition and is formally made up of: HM Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Barbados The Parliament of Barbados is the...
. These acts were brought into force by Proclamation on April 8, 2005; allowing the CCJ to supersede the Privy Council as the court of final Appellate Jurisdiction
Appellate jurisdiction
Appellate jurisdiction is the power of the Supreme Court to review decisions and change outcomes of decisions of lower courts. Most appellate jurisdiction is legislatively created, and may consist of appeals by leave of the appellate court or by right...
. The CCJ is also entrusted with the power to resolve disputes dealing with the Caribbean (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME).
Judicial Oath
I, _________________________, do swear that I will well and truly serve Our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth II, Her Heirs and SuccessorsMonarchy of Barbados
The monarchy of Barbados is a constitutional system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign and head of state of Barbados, forming the core of the country's Westminster style parliamentary democracy...
, in the office of the Chief Justice/Justice of Appeal/Judge of the High Court and I will do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of Barbados without fear or favour, affection or ill will. So help me God.
External links
- Barbados Supreme Court (BSC)
- Office of the Attorney-General
- Former Town Hall and Supreme Court Building, The Ministry of Community Development & Culture, Barbados