Constitution Index

Independence Order

Chapter 1

This Constitution is the supreme law of Barbados and, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, if any other law is inconsistent with this Constitutions, this Constitution shall prevail and the other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.

Chapter 2

  • Persons who become citizens on 30th November 1966
  • Person entitled to be registered as citizens
  • Persons born in Barbados after 29th November 1966
  • Persons born outside Barbados after 29th November 1966
  • Marriage to citizen of Barbados
  • Renunciation of citizenship
  • Commonwealth citizens
  • Powers of Parliament
  • Interpretation

    • Chapter 3

  • Fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual
  • Protection of right to life
  • Protection of right to personal liberty
  • Protection of freedom of expression
  • Protection of freedom of assembly and association
  • Protection of freedom of movement
  • Protection from discrimination on grounds of race, etc.
  • Enforcement of protective provisions
  • Time of emergency
  • Saving of existing law
  • Interpretation

    • Chapter 4

  • Establishment of office of Governor General
  • Acting Governor General
  • Deputy to Governor General
  • Personal staff of Governor - General
  • Exercise of Governor - General's functions
  • Oaths to be taken by Governor General

    • Chapter 5

  • Establishment of Parliament
  • Senate
  • Qualifications for membership of Senate
  • Disqualifications for membership of Senate
  • Tenure of seats of Senators
  • President and Deputy President of Senate
  • House of Assembly
  • Electoral law
  • Qualifications for membership of the Assembly
  • Disqualifications for membership of the Assembly
  • Tenure of seats of members of Assembly
  • Determination of questions of membership of Senate and Assembly
  • Filling of Casual Vacancies in Senate and Assembly
  • Power to make laws
  • Alteration of this Constitution
  • Regulation or procedure in Parliament
  • Presiding in Senate
  • Quorum of Senate
  • Voting in Senate
  • Introduction of Bills, etc.
  • Restriction on powers of Senate as to Money Bills
  • Restrictions on powers of Senate as to Bills other than Money Bills
  • Provisions relating to section 54, 55 and 56
  • Assent to Bills
  • Oath of allegiance
  • Session of Parliament
  • Prorogation and Dissolution of Parliament
  • General Election and Appointment of Senators

    • Chapter Six

  • Executive authority of Barbados
  • Cabinet
  • Appointment of Ministers
  • Tenure of office of Ministers
  • Performance of Prime Minister's functions in certain events
  • Temporary Ministers
  • Oaths to be taken by Ministers
  • Presiding in Cabinet
  • Governor General to be informed concerning matters of government
  • Assignment of responsibilities to Ministers
  • Parliamentary Secretaries
  • Leader of the Opposition
  • Certain vacancies in office of Leader of Opposition
  • Privy Council
  • Proceedings of Privy Council
  • Prerogative of Mercy
  • Establishment of office and functions of Director of Public Prosecutions

    • Chapter 7

  • Establishment of Supreme Court
  • Appointment of Judges
  • Acting Judges
  • Oaths to be taken by Judges
  • Tenure of office of Judges

    • Chapter 8

  • Establishment and composition of Judicial and legal Service Commission
  • Establishment and composition of Public Service Commission
  • Establishment and composition of Police Service Commission
  • Procedure of Commissions
  • Appointment, etc., of judicial and legal officers
  • Appointment, etc., of public officers
  • Delegation of powers under section 94
  • Appointment, etc., of members of the Police Force
  • Delegation of powers under section 96
  • Appeals to privy Council in disciplinary matters
  • Appointment of permanent secretaries and certain other public officers
  • Appointment, etc., of principal representatives abroad and subordinate staff
  • Appointment, etc., of Director of Public Prosecutions
  • Appointment, etc., of Auditor General
  • Protection of pension rights
  • Grant and withholding of pensions, etc.
  • Removal from office of certain persons
  • Protection of Commissions, etc., from legal proceedings

    • Chapter 9

  • Consolidated Fund
  • Estimate
  • Authorization of expenditure
  • Meeting expenditure from consolidated Fund
  • Public debt
  • Remuneration of Governor General and certain other officers
  • Establishment of office and functions of Auditor General

    • Chapter 10

  • Appointments
  • Resignations
  • Vacation of office on attaining a prescribed age
  • Interpretation

    • First Schedule

    Second Scedule

    Courtesy of the Barbados Government Information Service