Legal System of Belize
Belize is located in Central America N Caribbean. It is geographically situated in central america, bordering the caribbean sea, between guatemala and mexico. The country achieved independence on 21 september 1981 (from the uk). The capital is Belmopan.
Government Overview
Government Type: parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Chief of State: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General Froyla TZALAM (since 27 May 2021) Head of Government: Prime Minister John BRICEÑO (since 12 November 2020) Cabinet: governor general appoints Cabinet from among members of the National Assembly, on the advice of the prime minister Administrative Divisions: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo National Holiday: Battle of St. George’s Caye Day (National Day), 10 September (1798); Independence Day, 21 September (1981) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Legal System
The legal system of Belize is described as english common law International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Constitutional Framework
The constitution has the following history: previous 1954, 1963 (pre-independence); latest signed and entered into force 21 September 1981 Amendment Process: proposed and adopted by two-thirds majority vote of the National Assembly House of Representatives except for amendments relating to rights and freedoms, changes to the Assembly, and to elections and judiciary matters, which require at least three-quarters majority vote of the House; both types of amendments require assent of the governor general
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 10 justices); the Caribbean Court of Justice is the final court of appeal Judge Selection: Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor-general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; justices’ tenures vary by terms of appointment; Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader; other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75 Subordinate Courts: Magistrates’ Courts; Family Court
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of bicameral Note: Lower Chamber: House of Representatives (32 (all directly elected) seats) Electoral System (Lower Chamber): plurality/majority Upper Chamber: Senate
Citizenship and Suffrage
Citizenship by Birth: yes Citizenship by Descent: yes Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Historical Background
Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1862. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992, and the two countries are still involved in an ongoing border dispute.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Belize based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.