Barbados Judicial System

The Court of Appeal was constituted in November 1992. It exercises both criminal and civil jurisdictions and hears appeals from decisions of the High Court and the Magistrate’s Courts. Matters are heard by a ‘Full Court’ comprising three (3) Justices of Appeal, or by a single Justice of Appeal sitting in Chambers.

Civil appeals to the Court of Appeal are governed by Part 62 of the Civil Procedure Rules  dealing with appeals from:

1. the High Court;
2. a Magistrate’s Court; or
3. a tribunal where no other provision is made by Rules of Court for the hearing of the appeal or where under an enactment the Court of Appeal has power to determine such matters.

Civil appeals are governed by the Civil Procedure Rules. A flowchart outlining relevant appeal steps and procedures can be found here.

Criminal appeals are governed by the Criminal Appeal Act, Cap. 113A, and Practice Direction 1 of 2007. A flowchart outlining relevant appeal steps and procedures can be found here.

Family appeals are governed by the Family Law Act, Cap. 214 and the Family Law Rules, Cap. 214A. A flowchart outlining relevant appeal steps and procedures can be found here.