Legal System of Dominica

Dominica is located in Central America N Caribbean. It is geographically situated in caribbean, island between the caribbean sea and the north atlantic ocean, about halfway between puerto rico and trinidad and tobago. The country achieved independence on 3 november 1978 (from the uk). The capital is Roseau.

Government Overview

Government Type: parliamentary republic Chief of State: President Sylvanie BURTON (since 2 October 2023) Head of Government: Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT (since 8 January 2004) Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister Administrative Divisions: 10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter National Holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1978) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Dominica is described as common law based on the English model International Law: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: previous 1967 (pre-independence); latest presented 25 July 1978, entered into force 3 November 1978 Amendment Process: proposed by the House of Assembly; passage of amendments to constitutional sections such as fundamental rights and freedoms, the government structure, and constitutional amendment procedures requires approval by three fourths of the Assembly membership in the final reading of the amendment bill, approval by simple majority in a referendum, and assent of the president

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and consists of the Court of Appeal – headed by the chief justice and 4 judges – and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; the Caribbean Court of Justice is the final court of appeal Judge Selection: chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the British monarch; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an independent body of judicial officials; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62 Subordinate Courts: Court of Summary Jurisdiction; magistrates’ courts

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of unicameral

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: yes Citizenship by Descent: yes Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans, due chiefly to the fierce resistance of the native Caribs. France ceded possession to Britain in 1763, and Dominica became a British colony in 1805. Slavery ended in 1833, and in 1835, the first three men of African descent were elected to the legislative assembly of Dominica. In 1871, Dominica became first part of the British Leeward Islands and then the British Windward Islands until 1958.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Dominica based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.