Antigua and Barbuda KEY FACTS Joined Commonwealth: 1981 Population: 90,000 (2011) GNI p.c.: US$11,940 (2011) UN HDI 2011: world ranking 60 Geography Area: 443 sq km Coastline: 153 km Capital: St John’s Antigua and Barbuda, at the north of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, is composed of three islands: Antigua, Barbuda (40 km north of Antigua) and Redonda (40 km south-west of Antigua). Antigua comprises six parishes: St George, St John, St Mary, St Paul, St Peter and St Philip. Constitution Status: Monarchy under Queen Elizabeth II Legislature: Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda Independence: 1 November 1981 The constitution was agreed at independence in 1981. The country is a constitutional monarchy which recognises Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State. She is represented by a Governor-General appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister. Government is by parliamentary democracy with a bicameral legislature. There is a directly elected lower House of Representatives of 17 members for a term of not more than five years (plus speaker and Attorney-General) and an upper Senate of 17 members appointed by the Governor-General: one at his/her own discretion, 11 on the Prime Minister’s recommendation (including one inhabitant of Barbuda), four on that of the leader of the opposition, and one on the recommendation of the Barbuda Council. The latter is responsible for local government on Barbuda, and consists of nine directly elected members. The constitution guarantees individual rights and freedoms. Judicial system Supreme court: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court was established (as the West Indies Associated States Supreme Court) in 1967 with its headquarters in Castries in St Lucia, and is responsible for the administration of justice in its member states including Antigua and Barbuda. It comprises the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal. The chief justice and the four justices of appeal are based at the court’s headquarters and the 19 High Court judges reside in the nine member countries, and sit in the country’s court of summary jurisdiction. Less serious cases are heard in magistrates’ courts. The Court of Appeal is itinerant. The High Court’s jurisdiction includes fundamental rights and freedoms, and constitutional issues. Commonwealth Governance 128 Handbook 2013/14
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