The justice system derives from English common law and the French Napoleonic Code. The Supreme Court comprises the Court of Civil Appeal and the Court of Criminal Appeal, with a chief justice, a senior judge and 17 judges (2013). It has unlimited jurisdiction to hear and determine any civil or criminal proceedings, and it has original jurisdiction in the interpretation of the constitution and in the most serious criminal cases, when it sits with judge and jury. The Intermediate Court and District Court are both magistrates courts, with jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters, the District Court having divisions throughout the country. The Industrial Court – also a magistrates court – deals with employment issues. Appeals from these lower courts are heard in the Court of Civil Appeal or the Court of Criminal Appeal, as appropriate. The Privy Council in the UK is the final court of appeal. The President of the republic appoints the chief justice in consultation with the Prime Minister; the senior judge, with the advice of the chief justice; and other judges, with the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission. Government and politics Last elections: 10 December 2014 Next elections: 2019 Head of state: President Rajkeswur Purryag (2012–) Head of government: Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth Ruling party: Alliance Lepep Women MPs: 12% The elections in September 2000 were won by an alliance of the two main opposition parties, the Mouvement Socialiste Mauricien (MSM) and the Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM), taking 54 seats while the alliance led by the Labour Party won only six. The Ma u r i t i u s MSM–MMM alliance leader Sir Anerood Jugnauth then formed a new government, with MMM leader Paul Bérenger as his deputy until September 2003 when, by agreement, Bérenger became Prime Minister and caretaker President Karl Offmann made way for Jugnauth to become President. In the July 2005 general election the opposition, Social Alliance (with 38 seats), defeated the governing alliance (22 seats) and Labour Party leader Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam became Prime Minister. Turnout exceeded 80 per cent. The general election in May 2010 was won by Ramgoolam’s newly formed Alliance of the Future, with 45 seats (including four best losers), while the opposition, Alliance of the Heart – led by Paul Bérenger – won 20 (including two best losers). Turnout was 78 per cent. At the end of March 2012 Jugnauth resigned the presidency to return to party politics. Vice-President Monique Ohsan-Bellepeau became acting President. On 20 July 2012 Rajkeswur Purryag was elected President by the majority of the National Assembly. The general election held on 10 December 2014 was won by the MSM-led Alliance Lepep, which secured 51 seats, including four best losers. The governing Labour Party–MMM alliance took 16 seats, including three best losers, and the Organisation of the People of Rodrigues two. Alliance Lepep formed a coalition government with Sir Anerood Jugnauth as Prime Minister. Local government Ministry: Local Government and Outer Islands Association: Mauritius Association of Urban Authorities; Association of District Councils Local government is provided for by the Local Government Act 1989, the Rodrigues Regional Assembly Act 2001 and the Local Government Act 2003. The only element of local government enshrined in the constitution is the Rodrigues Regional Assembly. The Ministry of Local Government and Outer Islands is responsible for local government, which comprises the Rodrigues Regional Assembly; a tier of five municipalities, including Port Louis (to be increased to seven under the 2003 legislation), and four district councils; and a second tier of 124 village councils. Local elections are held every five years. The Rodrigues Regional Assembly has revenue-raising powers and receives transfers from national government. It is responsible for a broad range of local services. The municipalities and district councils have limited revenue-raising powers, and receive the bulk of their revenue from national government. They have statutory responsibility for education, environmental protection, public sanitation, roads, culture and leisure facilities. Certain responsibilities are delegated to the village councils. Further information Government of Mauritius: www.gov.mu Commonwealth Secretariat: www.thecommonwealth.org Commonwealth Governance: www.commonwealthgovernance.org Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2014/15 205 Governance institutions Attorney-General’s Office: attorneygeneral.gov.mu Bank of Mauritius: bom.intnet.mu Electoral Commissioner’s Office: electoral.gov.mu Financial Services Commission: www.fscmauritius.org Information and Communication Technologies Authority: www.icta.mu Ministry of Business, Enterprise and Co-operatives: enterbusiness.gov.mu Ministry of Finance and Economic Development: mof.gov.mu Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection: industry.gov.mu Ministry of Local Government and Outer Islands: localgovernment.gov.mu Parliament of Mauritius: mauritiusassembly.gov.mu Stock Exchange of Mauritius: www.stockexchangeofmauritius.com Supreme Court: supremecourt.intnet.mu
CEP template 2012
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