BELIZEPolitical Structure, Type of Government and Head of the State

Belize GovernmentSTATE GOVERNMENTLOCAL GOVERNMENTLEGISLATIVEEXECUTIVEJUDICIARYNational AssemblyHouse of RepresentativesSenateGovernor GeneralCabinetSupreme CourtCourt of AppealsPrivy CouncilMagistrateCourtCity CouncilsTown CouncilsVillageCouncilsAlcaldeSystemPrime MinisterMinister for Rural DevelopmentMinister for Local Government

Belize Governmentparliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy British parliamentary systemCommon Law of Englandtwo levels of government: a state government and a single-tier local government

Back

Executive BranchGovernor-Generalmust be a citizen of Belizeappointed by the Queen Her Majestys representativeExercises the executive authority

Sir Colville YoungBack7 November 1993 -Present

House of RepresentativesLower Housemajority of votes under the first past the post system.major parliamentary functionsmaking new lawsamending old laws for peace, order and good governance of Belize.control of the civil and military apparatus of state

headed by the Prime Minister Appointed by the Governor-Generalthe House of Representativesleader of the majority of the members of the Houseappoints Ministers of Cabinet CabinetMinisterselected by direct popular vote for 5 years.

Hon. Dean O. BarrowBackFebruary 8, 2008-Present

Senatedebating and confirming Bills Authorizing the ratification of any treaty by the GovernmentApproving the establishment of any new military base of operations for any foreign military forces Approving the appointment ofan Ambassadora High Commissioner,the Chief Justicea Justice of the Supreme Court,a Justice of the Court of Appealthe Contractor General and the Ombudsman.

SenateAppointed by the Governor-GeneralComprises and advice of the: 6 members - the Prime Minister.3 members - the Leader of the Opposition. 1 member - the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches.1 member - the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Business Bureau.1 member - National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Comittee.one Presidentelected from among the membership or nominated from outside the Senate. presides over the meetings of the SenateThe two major political partiesPeoples United Party (PUP) the United Democratic Party (UDP)

Back

JudiciaryThe Supreme CourtUnlimited original jurisdiction to hear and determine any civil or criminal proceedings under any law.3 supreme Court JudgesChief Justice2 other judges, known as Puisne Judges.Consists ofa Judgea jury made up of 12 members for capital offence cases and 9 members for non-capital offence cases

JudiciaryThe Court of Appealexercises an appellate jurisdiction over both the High Court and Magistracyhas jurisdiction and powers to hear and determine appeals in civil and criminal mattersConsists ofPresidentthree Justices of AppealThe Privy Councilthe final court for Belize, sits in the United Kingdommade up primarily of members of the United Kingdom's House of LordsMagistrate CourtLower Courtevery district capital has at least one Magistrate's CourtNot very serious cases

Back

Local GovernmentMinister for Local Governmentresponsible for local government legislation Acts relating to city and town councils.

The Minister for Rural Developmentvillage council legislation and the alcalde system.

Local Governmentcity councilsBelize andBelmopantown councilsseven town councils in the six administrative districts of the countrycommunity councilsThe 180 village and 12 communityAlcalde systemIn the Toledo District and other parts of south Belize

Local GovernmentTown and City Councils meetings are required by law,Local government elections are by the first-past-the-post system. Mayors and members of the council are directly elected. 3years term in officeCouncils must meet at least quarterly and the meetings must be open to the public. Decisions are taken by simple majorityThe Alcalde SystemThe alcaldes = local magistrates operating at the village and community levelfocuses on judicial matterstwo year term

Back