Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2013/14 251 KEY FACTS Joined Commonwealth: 1979 Population: 176,000 (2011) GNI p.c.: US$6,820 (2011) UN HDI 2011: world ranking 82 Geography Area: 616 sq km Coastline: 158 km Capital: Castries St Lucia is part of the Windward Islands group, which form an arc jutting out from the Eastern Caribbean into the Atlantic. It lies south of Dominica and north of Barbados. Constitution Status: Monarchy under Queen Elizabeth II Legislature: Parliament of St Lucia Independence: 22 February 1979 St Lucia is a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State, represented by a Governor-General. The legislature is bicameral, with the House of Assembly of 17 directly elected members (plus the speaker) and a Senate of 11 appointed members, six by the Prime Minister (the leader of the largest party in the House of Assembly), three by the leader of the opposition and two by the Governor- General. Parliament is elected for five years by universal adult suffrage. Judicial system Supreme court: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Ministry: Justice 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. Government and politics Last elections: November 2011 Next elections: 2016 Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor-General, Dame Pearlette Louisy (1997–) Head of Government: Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony Ruling party: St Lucia Labour Party In September 1997 the country’s first female Governor- General, Dr Pearlette Louisy, was appointed, following the resignation of Sir George Mallet. Dr Kenny Anthony and the St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) were returned to government in the December 2001 general election, when his SLP won 14 Assembly seats and the United Workers Party (UWP) three. St Lucia
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