KEY FACTS Joined Commonwealth: 1966 Population: 285,000 (2013) GDP p.c. growth: 0.9% p.a. 1990–2013 UN HDI 2014: World ranking 59 Official language: English Time: GMT minus 4 hrs Currency: Barbados dollar (Bds$) Geography Area: 431 sq km Coastline: 97 km Capital: Bridgetown Barbados, the most easterly of the Caribbean islands, lies south of Saint Lucia, east of St Vincent and the Grenadines, and north of Trinidad and Tobago. Constitution Status: Monarchy under Queen Elizabeth II Legislature: Barbados Parliament Independence: 30 November 1966 Barbados is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy, recognising Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. She is represented by a Governor-General appointed on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. There is a bicameral legislature and party system based on universal adult suffrage. The Senate has 21 members appointed by the Governor-General: 12 on the advice of the Prime Minister, two on that of the Leader of the Opposition and the remaining seven at the Governor- General’s discretion. The House of Assembly has 30 directly elected members. Leaders of each house (President and Deputy President of the Senate, and Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly) are elected by the members of the respective houses. The Governor-General appoints as Prime Minister the parliamentarian who commands – in the Governor-General’s opinion – the largest support within the House of Assembly, and the Prime Minister heads the cabinet. Other ministers are appointed from either house by the Governor-General as advised by the Prime Minister. The Governor-General appoints the Leader of the Opposition – the MP who, in his/her judgement, leads the party commanding the support of the largest number of MPs in opposition to the government. The normal life of parliament is five years. The constitution may be amended by act of parliament passed by both houses, except for entrenched clauses, which require twothirds majorities in both houses. These clauses relate to citizenship; rights and freedoms; the governor-generalship; composition of parliament and its sessions, prorogation and dissolution; general elections; senatorial appointments; executive authority; judicature; civil service; and finance. Judicial system Supreme court: Supreme Court of Judicature Ministry: Office of the Attorney-General The justice system is broadly based on English common law and is administered by the Supreme Court of Judicature, comprising the High Court and Court of Appeal. Magistrates courts conduct preliminary hearings. In 2005 the Caribbean Court of Justice in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, became the final court of appeal, replacing the Privy Council in the UK. Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2014/15 141 Barbados
CEP template 2012
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