Legal System of Guyana

Guyana is located in South America. It is geographically situated in northern south america, bordering the north atlantic ocean, between suriname and venezuela. The country achieved independence on 26 may 1966 (from the uk). The capital is Georgetown.

Government Overview

Government Type: parliamentary republic Chief of State: President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020) Head of Government: President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020) Cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly Administrative Divisions: 10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo National Holiday: Republic Day, 23 February (1970) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Guyana is described as common law system, based on the English model, with some Roman-Dutch civil law influence International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: several previous; latest promulgated 6 October 1980 Amendment Process: proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles, such as national sovereignty, government structure and powers, and constitutional amendment procedures, requires approval by the Assembly membership, approval in a referendum, and assent of the president; other amendments only require Assembly approval

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with a chief justice and 3 justices, and the High Court with a chief justice and 10 justices organized into 3- or 5-judge panels); Caribbean Court of Justice is the final court of appeal in civil and criminal cases Judge Selection: Court of Appeal and High Court chief justices appointed by the president; other judges of both courts appointed by the Judicial Service Commission, a body appointed by the president; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 65 Subordinate Courts: Land Court; 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

Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to former slaves settling urban areas and indentured servants being imported from India to work the sugar plantations. The resulting ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then primarily socialist-oriented governments have ruled the country.

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