CAP117A - Supreme Court of Judicature PDF

1 L.R.O. 1991 Supreme Court of Judicature CAP.
117A
CHAPTER 117A
SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
CITATION
SBCTlON
1. Short title.
Interprelation
2. Definitions.
PART I
SUPREME COURT
3. Constitution of Supreme Court.
High Court
4. High Court.
Court of Appeal
5. Court of Appeal.
6. Courts duly constituted.
Judiciary
7. Qualifications of Judges of High Court and Court of Appeal.
8. Precedence.
9. Transitional.
10. Power of Judge to act in cases relating to taxes.
11. Exercise of functions of Chief Justice
PART II
JURISDICTION AND POWERS OF HIGH COURT
General Jurisdiction
12. Jurisdiction of High Court.
13. Powers of single Judge.
14. Proceedings in High Court to be disposed of by single Judge.
THE LAWS OF BARBADOS

Rintcdbytbc Govrrnmsnt Riming Ikprbnm. Bay Street, St. hiicbcl,
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CAP. 117A Supreme Court of Judicature L.R.O. 1991 2
SECTlON
15. Divisions of High Court.

16. Jurisdiction of Family Division. First Schedule.
17. Declaratory judgments.
18. Application of habeas corpus.
19. Application for Certiori.
20. Wards of Court.
21. Maintenance of wards of court.
22. Property etc. of patients.
23. Co-ordination of jurisdiction.
24. Contempt.
25. Innocent publication etc.
26. Publication of information.
27. Writ ad melius enquirendum.
Admiralty Jurisdiction
28. Admiralty and prize jurisdiction.
Powers of High Court
29. Suit in respect of possession of land by mortgagor.
30. Power of Court in action by mortgagee for possession of dwelling house.
31. Power of Court to give possession of land sold.
32. Execution of instrument by order of Court.
33. Power of Court to impose charges on land of judgment debtor.
34. Receivers.
35. Power to award interest on debt or damages.
36. Power to restrict institution of vexatious actions.
3 L.R.O. 1985 Supreme Court of Judicature CAP.117A
PART Ill
LAW AND EQUITY
SECTION
37. Law and equity to be concurrently administered.

38. Equities, Common Law, Statutory rights and duties.
39. Equities appearing incidentally.
40. Rules of equity to prevail.
41. Certain stipulations not to be of essence of contract.
42. Merger.
43. Equitable waste.
44. Orders for sale mandatory or other injunctions and receivers.
45. Order, injunction or appointment may be made conditionally or on
terms etc.
46. Damages in lieu of or in addition to injunction or specific performance.
PART IV
DISCOVERY AND RELATED PROCEDURE

47. Definitions.
48. Order for disclosure, etc. of documents before commencement of
proceedings.
49. Extension of existing powers of Court to order disclosure of docu-
ments, inspection of property etc.
50. Sections 48 and 49 bind the Crown.
51. Rules of court.
PART V
JURISDICTION AND POWERS OF COURT OF APPEAL

52. Jurisdiction of Court of Appeal.
53. Powers of a single Judge.
54. Appeals.

PrInted by the Government Pdntinp Department, Bay Street, St. Michael.
by the authority of the Government of Bnrbndor
CAP. 117A Supreme Court of ludicature L.R.O. 1985 4
SECTION
55. Appeals relating to fundamental rights and freedoms.

56. Criminal Appeals.
57. Appeals in cases ofcontempt.
58. Appeals in habeas corpus proceedings.
59. Appeals from Magistrates’ Courts.
60. Composition of Court of Appeal.
61. Powers of Court of Appeal.
62. New trials.
63. Substituted Appeal.
Appeals to Privy Council
64. Appeals to Privy Council.

65. Procedure.
PART VI
SITTINGSAND DISTRIBUTION OFBUISNESS
66. Sittings.
67. Assignment of Business.
68. Vacations.
69. Sittings in vacation.
PART VII
JUDICIAL FUNCTIONS OF REGISTRAR

70. Powers.
71. Taxing Master.
72. Appeals.
PART VIII
ADMINISTRATION
73. Responsibility of Registrar.
74. Seals.
5 L.R.O. 2004 Supreme Court of Judicature CAP. 117A
Court Service
SECTION
75. Court service.
76. Court Administrator.
PART IX
FUNDS IN COURT
77. Accounts.
78. Bank account.
79. Payments and transfers.
80. Rules as to funds.
PART X
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
81. Rules Committee of Supreme Court. Second Schedule.
82. Functions of Rules Committee.
83. Publication of rules.
84. References to Judicial Advisory Council.
85. Award of costs.
86. Trial with assessors.
87. Affidavits taken.
88. Court bonds.
89. Engrossment etc. of instruments.
90. Lost negotiable instruments.

Printed by the Government Printer, Bay Street, St. Michael
by the authority of the Government of Barbados
SECTION
91. Conveyancing counsel.
92. Rights of Attorney-General in constitutional issues.
PART XI
THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL
93. Judicial Council.
PART XII
TRANSITIONAL, ETC.
94. Transitional.
95. Act binds Crown.
______________
FIRST SCHEDULE
BUSINESS ASSIGNED TO FAMILY DIVISION
______________
SECOND SCHEDULE
CONSTITUTION AND APPOINTMENT OF THE RULES

COMMITTEE AND RELATED MATTERS
______________
THIRD SCHEDULE
CONSTITUTION AND APPOINTMENT OF THE JUDICIAL

COUNCIL AND RELATED MATTERS
ss.1-2
CHAPTER 117A
SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE
An Act to make provision with respect to the constitution, jurisdiction 1981-27.

and proceedings of the Supreme Court of Judicature, to make 1990-17.
1990-18.
provision respecting the administration of justice, and for matters 1992-14.
incidental thereto and connected therewith. 1993-5.
1996-10.
1996-28.
2000-24.
2003-7.
2004-6.
[4th November, 1991] Commence-

ment.
1991/146.
CITATION
1. This Act may be cited as the Supreme Court of Judicature Act. Short title.
Interpretation
2. In this Act, Definitions.
"action" means a civil proceeding commenced by writ or in such other

manner as may be prescribed by rules of court, but does not
include a criminal proceeding by or in the name of the Crown;
"cause" includes any action, suit or other original proceeding between
a plaintiff and a defendant, and any criminal proceeding by or in
the name of the Crown;
"costs" includes fees, charges, disbursements, expenses or
remuneration;
"defendant" includes any person served with any writ of summons or
process, or served with notice of, or entitled to attend, any
proceedings;
"division" means division of the High Court;

s.2
Cap. 1. "enactment" has the same meaning as in the Interpretation Act;

"heretofore" means immediately before the date of commencement of
the provision in which it occurs;
"inferior court" means any tribunal or authority, other than the
Supreme Court, that exercises judicial or quasi-judicial functions;
"Judge" means a judge of the High Court other than the Chief Justice;
"judgment" includes order, decision or decree;
"jurisdiction" includes power and authority;
"Justice of Appeal" means a judge of the Court of Appeal other than
the Chief Justice;
"matter" includes every proceeding in court not in a cause;
"order" includes decision and rule;
"party" includes every person served with notice of, or attending, any
proceeding, although not named on the record;
"petitioner" includes every person making application to the Supreme
Court, whether by petition, motion or summons, otherwise than
against any defendant;
"plaintiff" includes every person asking any relief, otherwise than by
way of counterclaim as defendant, against any other person by
any form of proceeding, whether the proceeding is by action, suit,
petition, motion, summons or otherwise;
"pleading" includes a petition or summons, the statement in writing of
the claim or demand of a party, and of the defence or reply of a
party to a claim or demand made against him;
"prescribed" means prescribed by rules of court;
"Registrar" means the Registrar of the Supreme Court;
"Rules Committee" means the Committee established by section 81;
ss.3-4
"rules of court" includes the rules in force by virtue of this Act as well
as any rules to be made under the authority of this Act, and also
includes forms;
"suit" includes action;
"Supreme Court" means the Supreme Court of Judicature as
constituted under section 3.
PART I
SUPREME COURT
3. The Supreme Court of Judicature consisting of the High Court Jurisdiction,

and of the Court of Appeal, as they are constituted under sections 4 powers etc.
of Supreme
to 6, shall, subject to section 52(2)(b), continue to have and exercise the Court of
jurisdiction, powers and authority heretofore vested in those Courts, Judicature.
and any other jurisdiction, powers and authority conferred respectively
on those Courts by this Act or by any other Act.
High Court
4. (l) The High Court consists of Constitution

of High
(a) the Chief Justice, ex officio; and Court.
1993-5.
2003-7.
(b) not more than 8 judges to be styled "Judges of the High Court".
(2) Repealed by 2003-7.
(3) All the judges of the High Court have, in all respects, equal
jurisdiction and shall be addressed in the manner in which judges of the
High Court were customarily addressed heretofore.
(4) A person who holds the office of Judge of the High Court and 1996-10.
is subsequently appointed to the office of Justice of Appeal may sit in
the High Court as if he were a Judge of that Court for the purpose of
delivering judgment or doing any other thing in relation to proceedings
which were commenced before him whilst he was a Judge of the
High Court.

Printed by the Government Printer, Bay Street, St. Michael,
ss.5-7
Court of Appeal
Constitution 5. (l) The Court of Appeal consists of
of Court of
Appeal. (a) the Chief Justice, who shall be the President of that Court; and
1990-18.
2003-7.
(b) not less than 2 and not more than 5 other Judges, who shall be
styled Justices of Appeal.
(2) Subject to Part V, for the purpose of exercising its jurisdiction
the Court of Appeal shall be constituted in accordance with the
directions of the Chief Justice and shall consist of an uneven number of
Judges, such number being not less than 3.
(3) All the judges of the Court of Appeal have, in all respects, equal
jurisdiction with the Chief Justice and among themselves, and shall be
addressed in the manner in which a judge of the Court of Appeal was
customarily addressed heretofore.
Courts duly 6. The High Court and the Court of Appeal are duly constituted
constituted. notwithstanding any vacancy in the office of any judge of either Court.
Judiciary
Qualifica- 7. (l) Any person is qualified for appointment as a judge of the
tions of
judges of High Court who
High Court
and Court of (a) is or has been judge of a court of unlimited jurisdiction in civil
Appeal. and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a
court having jurisdiction in appeals from such a court; or
(b) is qualified to practise as an attorney-at-law, advocate or
barrister-at-law in such a court and has so practised for a period
of, or periods amounting in the aggregate to not less than,
10 years.
(2) Any person is qualified for appointment as Chief Justice or as
a judge of the Court of Appeal who
(a) is a judge of the High Court; or
(b) is qualified to practise as an attorney-at-law, advocate or
barrister-at-law in such a court and has been in practice as such
ss.8-9
for a period of, or periods amounting in the aggregate to not less

than, 15 years.
(3) In this section, “practise for a period as an attorney-at-law”
includes any period during which a person served as an attomey-at-
law, advocate, barrister-at-law, Magi&rate or Registrar of a court in
some part of the Commonwealth or as Parliamentary Counsel or as a
Professor or teacher of law at the University of the West Indies or at a
School for legal education approved by the Judicial and Legal Service
Commission.
8. (1) The Chief Justice has precedence over all other judges of the Precedence.
Supreme Court.
(2) Judges of the Court of Appeal rank next in order to the Chief
Justice and among themselves according to the priority of the dates on
which they respectively became judges of the Court of Appeal; and
have precedence over the judges of the High Court
(3) The Judges of the High Court rank among themselves accord-
ingly to the priority of the dates on which they respectively became
judges of the High Court.
9.’ (1) A Judge of the High Court who, before 4th November, 1991 Tr=&md.
sat and acted as a Judge of the Court of Appeal may, after 4th .
November, 1991 sit and act as a Judge of the Court of Appeal for the
purpose of giving judgment in, and otherwise acting in relation to, any
case heard by him or by that Court while he so sat and acted.
(2) A Judge of the High Court shall not, under subsection (1) be
treated as a Judge of the Court of Appeal for the purposes of any
enactment relating to
(a) the appointment, retirement, removal or disqualification of a
Judge of that Court;
(b) the tenure of office and oaths to be taken by a Judge of that
court;
‘Act 1990-17 Constitution of Barbados (Amendment) Ad that came into force on 4th November, 1991
contains this transitional provisiat.

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ss.lO-12
(c) the remuneration allowances or pensions of a Judge of that

court.
Power of 10. (1) The Chief Justice, a Justice of Appeal or a Judge of the High
EzWt rct Court is not incapable of acting in his judicial office in any proceeding
to by reason of his being one of any class of persons liable, in common
relating
UXCS.
with others, to contribute to or eligible to be benefited by any tax that
might be increased, diminished or in any way affected by that proceed-
ing.
(2) In this section, “tax” means any tax, duty or assessment, and also
any fund formed from the proceeds of any such tax, duty or assessment
or applicable to the purposes to which any such tax, duty or assessment
might be applied or applicable to any similar purposes.
Exercise of 11. (1) Anything that, by virtue of this Act or of any other enact-
thnclims of
Chief
ment, is for the time being authorised or required to be done to or by the
Justice. Chief Justice may, if the Chief Justice is not available because
(a) of absence, or
(b) of other reason, or
(c) his office is vacant,
be done during such unavailability or vacancy to or by the senior Justice
of Appeal.
PART II
JURISDICTION AND POWERS OF HIGH COURT
General Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction 12. (1) Subject to section 52(2)(b), the High Court may exercise
of High
collrt. (a) all such jurisdiction as was heretofore capable of being exer-
cised by the High Court; and
(b) such otherjurisdiction as is conferred by this Act or by any other
Act.
12A L.R.O. 1993 Supreme Court of Judicature CAP. 117A
s.12
(2) The jurisdiction vested in the High Court includes, except as

provided by this Act, the jurisdiction heretofore capable of being
exercised by the High Court or any judge or officer thereof in pursu-
ance of any enactment, prerogative, law or custom, and also all
ministerial and other powers, duties and authorities incident to any part
of the jurisdiction so vested.
(3) In addition to the jurisdiction and functions exercisable by him
under or by virtue of any other provision of this Act, the Chief Justice
may, except as provided by this Act, exercise all the jurisdiction and
ministerial and other powers, duties and authorities that, in pursuance
of any enactment, prerogative, law or custom, were heretofore capable
of being exercised by the Chief Justice otherwise than as a Judge of the
High Court and Court of Appeal.
THE LAWS OF MBMDos

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13 L.R.O. 1985 Supreme Court of Judicature CAP. 117A ss. 13-17
13. (1) A Judge may, subject to the rules of court, exercise in powers of
court or in chambers all or any part of the jurisdiction vested in sin@-
the High Court in all such causes or matters and in all such Judge’
proceedingsin any causes or matters as heretofore may have been
heard in court or in chambers or as may be.directed or authorised
to be so heard by rules of court.
(2) A Judge sitting in court, or a division thereof, constitutes a
court or division as the case requires.
14. Every proceeding in the High Court in a civil cause or Proceetings

matter, and all business arising out of those proceedings shall, so ~0~~~0be
far as is practicable and convenient, and subject to this Act or any &posedof
other Act, be heard and disposed of by a Judge sitting alone; and by sin&
all proceedings in any action or matter subsequent to the trial or Judge.
hearing, down to and including the final judgment or order,
shall, so far as is practicable and convenient, be taken before the
Judge before whom the trial or hearing took place.
15. (1) There shall be three divisions of the High Court, Divisions
namely of High
court.
(a) a Civil Division;
(b) a Criminal Division; and
(c) a Family Division.
(2) A judge of the High Court may sit in any division.
(3) The jurisdiction vested in the High Court in its Civil
Division or Family Division belongs to those Divisions alike.
16. (1) All causes and matters involving the exercise of the Jurisdiction
High Court’s jurisdiction in proceedings specified in the First ‘&,!$‘~,y
Schedule are assigned to the Family Division. First
Schedule.
(2) Subsection (1) does not limit section 13( 1).
17. (1) No action or other proceeding is open to objection on Declaratory

the ground that a merely declaratory judgment or order is jud5~‘cnts.
sought thereby.
(2) The High Court may make binding declarations of right in
any action or other proceeding whether or not any consequential
relief is or could be claimed therein.

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by the auihorlly of rhe Government of Barbados
ss.18-19 CAP. 117A Supreme Court ofJu&cature L.R.O.1985 14
(3) Notwithstanding that the events on which a right depends

have not occurred, the High Court may in its discretion make a
binding declaration of right, if it is satisfied that
((1) the question for decision involves a point of general public
importance, or that it would in the circumstances be unjust
or inconvenient to withhold the declaration; and
(h) the interests of persons not parties to the proceedings
would not be unjustly prejudiced by the declaration.
Application 18. (1) The High Court has the same jurisdiction as
for llah<ws heretofore to hear and determine an application for a writ of
“C?iptS.
hrrhtws corpus.
(2) An application under subsection (1) shall be made in
accordance with rules of court.
(3) Notwithstanding anything in any enactment or rule: of law,
when a criminal or civil application for habeas corpus has been
made by or in respect of any person, no such application for
I~crhc~s cori>rrs may again bc made to any court or Judge by or in
respect of that person on the same grounds, unless fresh evidence
is adduced in support of the application.
(4) Where the person by whom or in respect of whom an
application for haheus corpus is made is restrained as a person
Cap. 45. liable to be detained under the Mental Health Act, otherwise
than by virtue of sections 7 and 13 or of any other provisions of
Part II of that Act the application shall, for the purpose of this
section and of any appeal in the proceedings, be deemed to
constitute a criminal cause or matter.
(5) In this section, “application for habeus coupus” means an
application for a writ of habeas corpus ad subjiciendum; and
references to a criminal application or civil application shall be
construed accordingly as the application does or does not
constitute a criminal cause or matter.
Application 19. (1) Where a person has been sentenced for an offence by a
for . magistrate’s court and an application is made to the High Court
cerrlorari. for an order of certiorari to remove the proceedings of the
magistrate’s court into the High Court, and the High Court
determines that the magistrate’s court had no power to pass the
s.20
sentence, the High Court may, instead of quashing the conviction,

amend it by substituting for the sentence passed any sentence that the
magistrate's court has power to impose.
(2) Any sentence passed by the High Court by virtue of this section
in substitution for the sentence passed in the proceedings of a
magistrate's court begins to run, unless the High Court otherwise
directs, from the time when it would have begun to run if passed in
those proceedings.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) apply, with the necessary modifica-
tions, in relation to any order of a magistrate's court that is made on, but
does not form part of, the conviction of an offender as they apply in
relation to a conviction and sentence.
(4) The High Court may grant bail to a person who has been 1996-28.
convicted or sentenced by a magistrate's court and has applied to
the High Court for an order of certiorari to remove the proceedings
of the magistrate's court into the High Court, on his entering into a
recognizance, with or without sureties, to appear on the date fixed for
the hearing by the High Court.
(5) The time during which a person is released on bail under this 1996-28.
section does not count as any term of imprisonment or detention under
his sentence; and any sentence of imprisonment or detention imposed
by the magistrate's court after the imposition of which a person is so
released on bail begins to run or to be resumed as from the date on which 1996-28.
he is, under the sentence, received in prison.
(6) Rules of court may be made for the purposes of
(a) prescribing the persons before whom, and the manner in which,
a recognizance under subsection (4) is to be entered into by a
person who is applying for an order of certiorari;
(b) prescribing the manner in which such a recognizance can be
enforced; and
(c) authorising the recommittal of persons so applying.
20. (1) Subject to this section, no minor becomes a ward of court Wards of
except by an order made by the High Court. Court.

ss.21-22
(2) Where application is made to make a minor a ward of court, the

minor becomes a ward of court with effect from the making of the
application, but ceases to be a ward of court at the expiration of such
period as may be prescribed by rules of court, unless within that
prescribed period an order is made in accordance with the application.
(3) Either upon an application in that behalf or without an applica-
tion, the High Court may order that a minor who is a ward of court cease
to be a ward of court.
(4) The power of the High Court to make a minor a ward of court
or to make an order in relation to a minor who is a ward of court may
be exercised irrespective of whether the minor has property of any kind.
Mainte- 21. (1) Subject to this section, the High Court may make an order
nance of
wards of
court.
(a) requiring either parent of a ward of court to pay to the other
parent; or
(b) requiring either parent or both parents of a ward of court to pay
to any other person having the care and control of the ward,
such weekly or other periodical sums towards the maintenance and
education of the ward as the High Court thinks reasonable, having
regard to the means of the person or persons on whom the requirement
is imposed.
(2) The High Court may by order vary or discharge any previous
order under this section.
Property etc. 22. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the High Court continues to
of patients. exercise all jurisdiction in matters relating to patients heretofore vested
Cap. 45. in and exercisable by that court under the Mental Health Act, or
conferred on it by this Act or any other enactment.
(2) In this section, "matters relating to patients" includes all matters
relating to
(a) the care and commitment of the custody of idiots, lunatics and
persons of unsound mind;
(b) their property; and
17 L.R.O. 1985 Supreme Court of Judicature CAP. 117A s.23
(c) the guardianship of persons of weak mind and the

protection of their property.
23. (1) Rules of court may provide for the co-ordination of co-
the jurisdiction exercised by the judges of the High Court ordination
of jurisdic-
(a) in respect of any cause or matter affecting a person under a tion.
disability of any kind, where that person is brought before
a judge other than the judge to whom causes or matters
particularly affecting persons under disability of that kind
are assigned;
(b) in relation to minors for the purposes of enabling an order
making a minor a ward of court to be made by a judge other
than the judge to whom such causes or matters are as-
signed, or of enabling an order to be made for the transfer
by a judge of the question of wardship or of any other
question arisingin the proceedings that affects the welfare,
including care, custody or control or property of a minor
who is already a ward of court, to the judge to whom such
causes or matters are assigned.
(2) Rules made pursuant to this section

(a) may require the judge to furnish to the judge to whom the
cause or matter is assigned a report on the revelant facts
and proceedings, together with such observations and
recommendations as he thinks:
(b) may empower a judge to whom a cause or matter is trans-
ferred or a question is referred to proceed as though
the cause, matter or question had originated before him;
(c) must provide for the transmission to the Registrar of a copy
of the order of a judge (other than a judge to whom such
causes or matters are assigned) that
(i) relates to a person under disability and brings him Cap.45.

within the provisions of the Mental Health Act;
(ii) makes a minor a ward of court; or
(iii) directs a copy of the order to be so transmitted.

Rlnted by the Government Printing Department, Bay Srreei, St. Michrel.
by the wthorlty of the Government of Barbados
ss.24-27 CAP. 117A Supreme Court ofjudicature L.R.O. 1985 18
Contempt. 24. (1) The High Court has the same jurisdiction as
heretofore to deal with cases of contempt, and all such
.jurisdiction as is vested in that Court by this Act or any other
enactment.
(2) Where, in any proceedings before the High Court for
contempt, there are, in the opinion of the Court, exceptional
circumstances that render it necessary in the interest of justice,
the Court may order that the proceedings be not heard in open
court.
Innocent 25. (1) A.person is not guilty of contempt of court on the
publication ground that he has published any matter calculated to interfere
etc.
with the cause of justice in connection with any proceedings
pending or imminent at the time of publication, if, at that time,
and having taken all reasonable care, he did not know, and had
no reason to suspect, that the proceedings were pending or
imminent.
(2) Where application is made to make a minor of court, the
minor becomes a ward of court with effect from the making of the
application, but ceases to be a ward of court at the expiration of
such period as may be prescribed by rules of court, unless within
that prescribed period an order is made in accordance with the
application.
(3) The onus of proving any particular fact that tends to estab-
lish a defence under this section on proceedings for contempt of
court lies upon the person who asserts that particular fact.
Publics 26. (I) The publication of information relating to
tion of in-
formation.
proceedings before any court sitting in private is not itself
contempt of court, except in the following cases, that is to say:
((1) where the proceedings relate to the wardship or adoption of
a minor, or wholly or mainly to the guardianship, custody,
maintenance or upbringing of a minor, or rights of access
to a minor;
(b) where the court sits in private for reasons of national
security during that part of the proceedings about which
the information in question is published;
(c) where the information relates to a secret process discovery
or invention that is in issue in the proceedings;
19 L.R.O. 1985 Supreme Court of Judicature CAp. 117A ss.27-28
(d) where the court having power to do so, expressly prohibits

the publication of all information relating to the proceed-
ings or of information of the description published.
(2) Without affecting subsection (l), the publication of the

text or a summary of the whole or part of an order made by a court
sitting in private is not itself contempt of court, except where the
court having power to do so expressly prohibits the publication.
(3) In this section, references to a court include references to a

judge and to a tribunal and to any person exercising the functions
of a court, a judge or a tribunal; and references to a court sitting
in private include references to a court sitting in camera or in
chambers.
(4) Nothing in this section makes punishable as contempt of
court anything that would not be punishable apart from this
section as contempt of court.
27. Upon the application of the Attorney-General and writ ad

notwithstanding anything in the Coroners Act, the High Court EJ:~~~-
may, if it appears to the Court that any inquest is for any cause dlM?L
inadequate, issue a writ ad melius enquirendum directed either Cap.113.
to the coroner whose inquest is inadequate or to such other
coroner as the Court thinks fit.
AdmiraEty Jurisdiction
28. The High Court continues to exercise its Admiralty Admiralty

jurisdiction over the like places, persons, matters and things as ,$$~~on,
heretofore vested in that Court, and is a prize court of unlimited
jurisdiction in matters of prize; and, subject to rules of court,
shall exercise its jurisdiction under this section in accordance
with the same rules and principles, and have the same regard to
international law and the comity of nations as the High Court had
heretofore in the exercise of its jurisdiction.
TliE LAWS OF BARBADOS

Printed by the Government Printing Department. Bay Sueet. St. Michael.
by the wthority of the Government of Barbados
ss.29-30 CAP. 117A Supreme Court ofJudicature L.R.O. 1985 20
Powers of High Court
Suit in 29. (1) Unless an express declaration contained in the

respect of
possession
mortgage provides otherwise, a mortgagor who is entitled for the
of land by time being to the possession or receipt of the rents and profits of
mortgagor. any land for which no notice of intention to take possession or to
enter into the receipt of the rents and profits has been given by the
mortgagee may
(a) sign and cause to be served notices to quit;
(b) determine tenancies or accept surrenders thereof;
(c) sue in his own name only for possession or for the recovery
of the rents or profits or to prevent or recover damages
in respect of any trespass or other wrong relative thereto,
unless the cause of action arises upon a lease or other con-
tract made by him jointly with any other person.
(2) An action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsection (1) is
not defeated by proof that the legal estate is vested in a mortgagee
in respect of the land
((I) the possession of which is sought to be recovered,
(h) of which the rents or profits are sought to be recovered, or
(c) against which the trespass or other wrong has been
committed.
Pou er of 30. (1) Where the mortgagee under a mortgage of land that
court in consists of or includes a dwelling-house brings an action in which
action IJ!
mortgagee he claims possession of the mortgaged property, not being an
for pos- action for fore-closure in which a claim for possession of the
session of
dwelling
mortgaged property is also made, the High Court may exercise
IlOUSe. any of the powers conferred on it by subsection (2) if it appears to
the court that if it exercises that power the mortgagor is likely to
be able within a reasonable period to pay any sums due under the
mortgage, or to remedy a default consisting of a breach of any
other obligation arising under or by virtue of the mortgage.
(2) The Court may,
(a) adjourn the proceedings, or
(b) on giving judgment, or making an order for delivery of

possession of the mortgaged property, or at any time before
the execution of such judgment or order,
(i) stay or suspend execution of the judgment or order, or
(ii) postpone the date for delivery of possession,
for such periods as the Court thinks reasonable.
(3) Any adjournment, stay, suspension or postponement
under subsection (2) may be made subject to such conditions with
regard to payment by the mortgagor of any sum secured by the
mortgage or the remedying of any default as the Court thinks tit.
(4) The Court may from time to time vary or revoke any
condition imposed under this section.
(5) This section has effect in relation to an action referred to in
subsection (1) and begun before the date on which this section
comes into force, unless in that action judgment has been given or
an order made for delivery of possession of the mortgaged
property and that judgment or order was executed before that
date.
31. (1) Where, on the sale by order of the High Court of any I~‘~\\.~I.w
land or any estate or interest therein, the purchaser becomes p~v,s~.\irl~i
cc)urt:v -‘ib-
01
entitled to the immediate possession of the land, then, if any iands.I~t:.
other person is found to be in possession or occupation of the land
and neglects or refuses to deliver up possession thereof to its
purchaser, the High Court may, subject to subsection (2). on the
application of the purchaser, issue a warrant under the hand of a
judge directed to any one or more writ officers commanding them
within a period to be therein named, and being not less than 3
nor more than 10 clear days from the date of the warrant, to enter
by force if necessary into the land and give possession of the land
to the purchaser.
(2) Entry under warrant under subsection (1) may not be made
on Sunday, Good Friday or Christmas Day, or any public holiday
made by proclamation, or at any time of the day except between
the hours of 8 in the morning and 5 in the afternoon.
THE LAW.5 OF BARBADOS

Rmtcd by the Government Prming Department, Ba) Srreet, St. Mlchaei,
by the authority of the Govcrnmc~r of Barbados
ss.32-34 CAP. 117A Supreme Court of Judicature L.R.O. 1985 22
Execution 32. Where any person neglects or refuses to comply with a

of instrll-judgment or order directing him to execute any conveyance,
ment by or-
derofCourt contract or other document, or to endorse any negotiable
’ instrument, the High Court may, on such terms and conditions, if
any, as it considers just, order that the conveyance, contract or
other document be executed or that the negotiable instrument be
endorsed by such person as the Court may nominate for that
purpose; and a conveyance, contract, document or instrument so
executed or endorsed operates and is for all purposes available as
if it had been executed or endorsed by the person originally
directed to execute or endorse it.
Power of 33. (1) The High Court may, for the purpose of enforcing a
Court to im- judgment
posecharges ’ or order of the court for the payment of money to a
on land of person, by order impose on any such land or interest in land of the
judgment debtor as may be specified in the order a charge for securing the
debtor.
payment of any moneys due or to become due under the judgment
or order.
(2) An order under subsection (1) may be made either
absolutely or subject toconditions as to notifying the debtor, or as
to the time when the charge is to become enforceable, or as to
other matters.
cap. 210. (3) The Registration of Judgments Act and the Land
Cap. 229.
Registration Act, apply in relation to orders under subsection (1)
as they apply in relation to other writs or orders affecting land
issued or made for the purpose of enforcing judgments, but, save
as aforesaid, a charge imposed under subsection (1) has the like
effect and shall be enforceable in the same courts and in the same
manner as an equitable charge created by the debtor by writing
under his hand.
(4) This section applies in relation to a judgment, order,
decree or award, however called, of any court or arbitrator,
including any foreign court or foreign arbitrator, that is or has
become enforceable, .whether wholly or to a limited extent, as it
applies to a judgment or order of the High Court.
34. (1) The power of the High Court to appoint a receiver by

way of equitable execution is hereby extended to operate in
relation to all legal estates and interests in land.
23 L.R.O. 1985 Sl4prettw Court uf Jrdic-ature CAP. 117A s.3.5
(2) The power referred to in subsection (1) may be

exercised in relation to an estate or interest in land
whether or not a charge has been imposed on that land
under section 33 for the purpose of enforcing the judgment,
decree, order or award in question; and that power is in addition
to, and not in derogation of, any power of any court to appoint a
receiver in proceedings for enforcing such a charge.
(3) Where an order under section 33 that imposes a charge for
the purpose of enforcing a judgment, decree, order or award has
been registered under section 2 of the Registration ofJudgments Cap. 210.
Act, subsection (1) of section 3 of that Act does not apply to an
order appointing a receiver made either in proceedings for
enforcing the charge or by way of equitable execution of the
judgment, decree, order or award, or, as the case may be, of so
much thereof as requires payment of moneys secured by the
charge.
35. (1) Subject to subsection (2), in any proceedings tried in Power to

award
the High Court for the recovery of debt or damages, that Court interest on
may, if it thinks fit, order that there be included in the sum for debt or
which judgment is given interest at such rate as may be prescribed damagrs.
by rules of court on the whole or any part of the debt or damages

for the whole or any part of the period between the date when the
cause of action arose and the date of the judgment.
(2) Nothing in this action
(a) authorises the giving of interest upon interest;
(b) applies in relation to any debt upon which interest is
payable as of right, whether under any agreement or
otherwise; or
(c) affects the damages recoverable for the dishonour of a
bill of exchange.
(3) Where in any proceedings under subsection (1), judgment
is given for a sum that represents or includes damages in respect
of personal injuries to the p!aintiff or any other person, then,
without prejudice to the exercise of the power conferred by that
subsection in relation to any part of that sum that does not
represent such damages, the Court shall exercise that power so as
to include in that sum interest on those damages or on such part

Rimed by the Government Prlntlnp Depnrtmcnt. Bay Srreet, St. Michael,
ss.36-37 CAP. 117A SILprc?tleCourt of Judicuture L.R.Q. 1985 24
of them as the Court considers appropriate, unless the Court is

satisfied that there are special reasons why no interest should be
given in respect ofthose damages.
(4) An order under this section may provide for interest to be
calculated at different rates in respect of different parts of the
period for \vhich interest is given, whether that period is the whole
or part ofthe period mentioned in subsection (1).
(5) The Court shall award interest at such rate as may be
prescribed by rules of court on
(u) a judgment debt or on such part thereof as for the time
being remains unsatistied from the date of judgment
until satisfaction;
(h) costs from the date that such costs are ascertained or
taxed until payment is made.
Pov.cr to 36. (I) If. on an application made by the Attorney General

restrict
under this section, the High Court is satisfied that any person has
::f”t’,‘$y& habitually and persistently and without any reasonable ground
actions. instituted vexatious legal proceedings, whether in the High Court
or in any inferior court, and whether against the same person or
against different persons, the Court may, after hearing that
person or giving him an opportunity of being heard, order
((I) that no legal proceedings be instituted by him in any court
uithout the leave ofthe High Court:
(h) that no legal proceedings instituted by him in any court
before the making of the order be continued by him
\vithout leave ofthe High Court.
(2) A copy of an order made under this section shall be

published in the QLjiciu/ Gcrzerte.
PART III
LAW AND EQUITY
Law and 37. Subject to the express provisions of any other enactment,
equity to be
concurrcntl~law and equity shall continue to be administered by the High
adminis- Court in accordance with sections 38 to 46 in every civil cause or
tered. matter commenced in that Court.
25 L.R.O. 1985 Supreme Court of Judicature CAP. 117A ss.38-40
38. (1) The High Court and the Court of Appeal respectively Equities,
Common
shall give the same effect as heretofore
L@J,
(a) to all equitable estates, titles, rights, remedies, reliefs, ?$~~~
counter-claims, duties and liabilities; and duties.
(b) to all legal claims and demands and all estates, titles,
rights, duties, obligations and liabilities existing by
common law or by any custom, or created by any statute,
and both Courts shall ensure that, as far as possible and subject
to any enactment, including subsection (2), to the contrary, all
matters in dispute in a cause or matter before those Courts can be
completely and finally determined without further proceedings in
respect thereof.
(2) The High Court and the Court of Appeal respectively, may,
acting on equitable grounds, and without limiting any other
powers exercisable by either Court, stay any proceedings or the
execution of any process in any cause or matter before the Court,
subject to such conditions as that Court thinks fit.
(3) Nothing in this Act authorises a cause or proceeding
pending in the High Court or the Court of Appeal to be stayed by
prohibition or injunction.
39. #The High Court or the Court of Appeal shall take notice of Equities
all equitable estates, titles and rights, and all equitable duties !$~~~&,.
and liabilities appearing incidentally in the course of any cause or
matter, and shall give the same effect thereto as heretofore.
40. Subject to the express provisions of any other enactment, ~~~~~ of

the rules of equity shall prevail equity to
prevail.
(a) in questions relating to the custody and education of
minors, and,
(b) generally, in all matters not particularly mentioned in this
Act,
in which there was or is any conflict or variance between the rules
of equity and the rules of common law with reference to the same
matter.

Rlnted by the Government Prlntlng Department. Bay Street. St. Michael.
by the nuthorlty of the Government of Barbados
ss.41-45 CAP. 11.7A Supreme Court of Judicature L.R.O. 1985 26
Certain 41. Stipulations in a contract as to time or otherwise that

stipulations
not to be
according to rules of equity are not deemed to be or to have
of essence become of the essence of the contract are to be construed and
Ofcontract. have effect at law also in accordance with those rules.
Merger. 42. There is no merger by operation of law only of any estate

the beneficial interest in which would not be deemed to be merged
or extinguished in equity.
Equitable 43. An estate for life without impeachment of waste does not
waste. confer, nor shall it be deemed to confer, upon the tenant for life
any right to commit waste of the description known as equitable
waste, unless an intention to confer that right expressly appears
by the instrument creating the estate.
Orders for 44. The High Court may, at any stage of any proceedings,
sale man-
&tory or (a) order a sale of any property;
other in-
junctions (b) grant a mandatory or other injunction; or
and
receivers. (c) appoint a receiver,
where it appears to the Court to be just or convenient to do so for
the purposes of the proceedings before it; and, if the case is one of
urgency, the Court may grant a mandatory or other injunction
before the commencement of the proceedings.
Ordef, in- 45. (1) Any order, injunction or appointment under section
rP?ztiTnt 44 may be made either unconditionally or on such terms and
may be conditions as the Court thinks just, including, if an injunction is
made con- granted before the commencement of the proceedings, a
~nti~~syOrcondition requiring proceedings to be commenced.
etc.
(2) If, whether before, or at, or after, the hearing of any cause
or matter, an application is made for an injunction to prevent any
threatened or apprehended waste or trespass, the injunction may
be granted if the Court thinks fit, whether
(a) the person against whom the injunction is sought is or is
not in possession under any claim or title or otherwise, or,
if he is out of possession, he does or does not claim a
a right to do the act sought to be restrained under colour of
any title, and
27 L.R.O. 1985 Supre~rw Court of Judicature CAP. 117A ss.46-48
(h) the estates claimed by both or by either of the parties are

legal or equitable.
46. Where a Court has jurisdiction to entertain an application Damages

for an injunction or specific performance, it may award damages ‘b;Eyn
in addition to or in substitution for an injunction or specific ad&fionto
performance. injunction
or spcci-
tic per-
formance.
PART IV
DISCOVERY AND RELATED PROCEDURE
47. In this Part, Definitions.
“personal injuries” includes any disease and any impairment of a

person’s physical or mental condition;
“property” includes any land, chattel or other corporeal property
ofany description;
“Rules Committee” means the Rules Committee established
under section 8 1.
48. On the application, in accordance with rules of court, of a order for

person who appears to the High Court to be likely to be a party to ~~l~~Ure.
subsequent proceedings in the High Court in which a claim in documents
respect of personal injuries to a person, or in respect of a person’s ~~~~~en,e-
death is likely to be made, the High Court may, in such mentof
circumstances as are specified in the rules, order that a person proceed-
who appears to the Court to be likely to be a party to the ings.
proceedings and likely to have or to have had in his possession,
custody or power any documents that are relevant to an issue
arising, or likely to arise, out of that claim
(u) disclose whether those documents are in his possession,
custody or power; and
(b) produce to the applicant such of those documents as are in
his possession, custody or power.

Printed by the Government Printing Department. Bay Srreet. St. Mlchsel.
by the uthotlty of the Government of Barbados
ss.49-51 CAP. 117A S11p reme Court of Judicature L.R.O. 1985 28
Extension 49. ( 1)On the application, in accordance with rules of court,

of elist-
ing powers
of a party to any proceedings in which a claim in respect of
of Court to personal injuries to a person or in respect of a person’s death is
order dis- made, the High Court may, in such circumstances as may be
closure of
documents, specified in the rules, order that a person who is not a party to the
inspection proceedings and who appears to the Court to be likely to have or
of property
etc.
to have had in his possession, custody or power any documents
that are relevant to an issue arising out of that claim
(u) disclose whether those documents are in his possession,
custody or power; and
(b) produce to the applicant such of those documents as are in
his possession, custody or power.
(2) On the application, in accordance with rules of court, of a
party to any proceedings referred to in subsection (I), the High
Court may, in such circumstances as may be specified in the
rules, make an order providing for any one or more of the
following matters, that is to say:
(I() the inspection, photographing, preservation, custody and
detention of property that is not the property of, or in
the possession of, any party to the proceedings, but that is
the subject matter of the proceedings or concerning’which
any question arises in the proceedings; and
(b) the taking of samples of any property mentioned in
paragraph (a) and the carrying out of any experiment on
or with any such property.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not affect the exercise by the
High Court of any power to make orders that is exercisable apart
from those subsections.
Sections 48 50. (1) Sections 48 and 49 bind the Crown.
and 49
bind the (2) The High Court may not make an order under section 48 or
Crown.
49 if the Court considers that compliance with the order, would
be likely to be injurious to the public interest.
Rules of 51. ( 1) The Rules Committee may prescribe
Court.
(a) the manner in which an application for an order under
section 48 can be made and the circumstances in which
such an order can be made; and
s.52
(b) the circumstances in which an order under section 48 or 49

can be made.
(2) The Rules Committee may include in any rules made under
subsection (1) such incidental, supplementary and consequential
provisions as the Rules Committee considers necessary or expedient.
(3) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1)(b) and
subsection (2), the Rules Committee shall provide in the rules of court
that the costs of and incidental to proceedings for an order under
sections 48 and 49 that are incurred by the person against whom the
order is sought must be awarded to that person unless the Court
otherwise directs.
PART V
JURISDICTION AND POWERS OF COURT

OF APPEAL
52. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this or any other Jurisdiction

of Court of
enactment, the Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to hear and determine, Appeal.
in accordance with the rules of court, appeals from any judgment or
order of the High Court or a judge thereof.
(2) Subject to this Act, the Court of Appeal may exercise
(a) all such jurisdiction as was heretofore capable of being
exercised by the former Court of Appeal;
(b) all such jurisdiction as was heretofore capable of being
exercised by the Divisional Court of the High Court:
(c) such other jurisdiction as is conferred by this Act or by the
Criminal Appeal Act, or by any other Act. Cap. 113A.
(3) The Divisional Court of the High Court ceases to exist on

4th November, 1991, and any reference in any enactment in force
before 4th November, 1991 to the Divisional Court is to be construed
as a reference to the Court of Appeal.

s.53
Powers of a 53. (1) Subject to subsection (4) of section 60, a single judge of
single judge.
the Court of Appeal may exercise any of the following powers of the
Cap. 113A. Court of Appeal under the Criminal Appeal Act, namely:
(a) under Part I, the power
(i) to give leave to appeal;
(ii) to extend the time within which notice of appeal or of
application for leave to appeal may be given;
(iii) to allow an appellant to be present at any proceedings;
(iv) to order a witness to attend for examination;
(v) to admit an appellant to bail;
(vi) to make orders under subsection (2) of section 16 of
Cap. 113A the Criminal Appeal Act, and to discharge or vary such
orders;
(vii) to hear and determine such other matters preliminary
or incidental to an appeal as may be prescribed; and
(b) under Part II, the power
(i) to extend the time for applying for leave to appeal;
(ii) to make an order for or in relation to bail;
Cap. 112A. (iii) to grant legal assistance under the Community Legal
Services Act.
(2) Subject to subsection (4), a single judge of the Court of Appeal
may, as he thinks fit in any cause or matter pending before that Court,
(a) give any directions incidental to the appeal and not involving
the decision of the appeal;
s.53
(b) at any time during the period of vacation prescribed by rules of

court, make
(i) an order granting leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal;

or
(ii) any interim order to prevent prejudice to the claims of
any parties pending appeal.
(3) An appellant who is aggrieved by the decision of a single judge
made under subsection (1) is entitled to have the matter re-heard and
determined by the Court of Appeal as constituted under section 60;
and every order made under subsection (2) by a single judge, other
than an order granting leave to appeal, may be discharged or varied by
the Court of Appeal.

(4) Subsection (2) does not apply to an appeal under the

CriminalAppealAct. Cap. 113A.
54. (1) No appeal lies to the Court of Appeal Appeals.
(a) except as provided by the CriminaZ Appeal Act, from any cap. 113.4
judgment of the High Court in any criminal cause or
matter;
(b) from an order allowing an extension of time for appealing
from a judgment or order;
(c) from an order of a judge of the High Court giving
unconditional leave to defend an action;
(d) from an order or judgment of the High Court or any judge
thereof where it is provided by or under any enactment that
that order or judgment or the decision or determination
upon which it is made or given is to be final;
(e) from a decree absolute for the dissolution or nullity of
marriage by a party aggrieved thereby who, having had the
time and opportunity to appeal from the decree nisi on
which the decree absolute was founded, has not
appealed from that decree nisi;
v) without the leave of the Court of Appeal or of the judge
making the order, from
(i) an order of the High Court or a judge thereof
made with the consent of the parties;
(ii) an order as to costs only;
(iii) a final order of a judge of the High Court made in a
summary proceeding;
(g) without the leave of the judge or of the Court of Appeal,
from any interlocutory order or judgment made or given
by a judge of the High Court, except in the
following cases, namely:
(i) where the liberty of the subject or the custody of
minors is concerned;
(ii) where an injunction or the appointment of a receiver
is granted or refused;

Rlnted by the Government Prlntlng Department. Bay Srreet, St. Michael.
by the uthorlty of the Government of Barbados
ss.5556 CAP. 117A Sii p retw Court of jtlrl’icatl4re L.R.O. 1985 32
(iii) in the case of a decision determining the claim of any

creditor or the liability of any contributory or the
liability of any director or other officer under the
Cap. 308. Companies Act in respect of misfeasance or otherwise;
(iv) in the case of a decree nisi in a matrimonial cause;
(v) in the case of a judgment or order determining liability
in an admiralty action;
(vi) in the case of an order on a special case stated
Cap. 110. under the Arbitration Act:
(vii)in such other cases as may be prescribed that are
cases appearing to the Rules Committee to be of the
nature of tinal decisions:
(h) from the decision of the Election Court on any question of
law, whether on appeal or otherwise, under sections 36 to
cap. 3. 51 of the Efectiorl Q~jhtrcw trrrtiControversies Act; and
(i) from an order refusing leave for institution or con-
tinuance of legal proceedings by a person who is the sub-
ject of an order for the time being in force under section 36.
(2) An order refusing unconditional leave to defend an action

shall be deemed not to be an interlocutory order within the
meaning of this section.
(3) Subject to subsection (2), any doubt that arises about what
orders or judgments are final and what are interlocutory shall be
determined by the Court of Appeal.
Appeals 55. An appeal to the Court of Appeal lies as of right from any
relating to decision of the High Court that is given in exercise of the
!‘s~~~~‘~taljurisdiction conferred on the High Court by section 24 of the
freedoms. Constitution.
Criminal 56. (1) The Criminal AppeaZ Act applies for the purposes of
Appeals.
appeals to the Court of Appeal against convictions before or
Cap. 113A.
sentences passed by, the High Court in the exercise of its criminal
jurisdiction.
(2) The Court of Appeal has full power to determine in
accordance with the Criminal Appeal Act, any questions
33 L.R.O. 1985 Supreme Court ofJudicature CAP. 117A s.57
necessary to be determined for the purpose of doing justice in the

case before the Court.
57. (1) Subject to this section, an appeal lies under this appealsin
section from any order or decision of a court in the exercise of ~3~sof
jurisdiction to punish for contempt of court, including criminal conten’pt.
contempt, and in relation to any such order or decision this
section has effect in substitution for any other enactment relating
to appeals in civil or criminal proceedings.
(2) An appeal under this section lies in any case at the instance
ofthe defendant, and, in the case of an application for committal
or attachment, at the instance of the applicant.
(3) An appeal under this section lies
(a) to the Court of Appeal from an order or decision of an
inferior court or of the High Court or of any court having
the power of the High Court or of a judge of that court; and
(6) with leave of the Court of Appeal, to Her Majesty in
Council from an order or decision of the Court of
Appeal including an order or decision of that Court on an
appeal under this section.
(4) The Court to which an appeal is brought under this section
may confirm, reverse or vary the order or decision of the court
below and make such other order as is just; and the judge or
magistrate who made the order shall proceed to carry out and
enforce his order as confirmed or varied in the same manner as if
there had been no appeal against the same.
(5) Without prejudice to the inherent powers of any court
referred to in subsection (2) or (3), the Rules Committee may
make provision by rules of court for authorising the release on
bail of an appellant under this section.
(6) In this section “Court” includes any tribunal or person
having power to punish for contempt.
(7) References in this section to an order or decision of a Court
in the exercise of jurisdiction to punish for contempt include
references

Rlntcd by the Government Prlntlng Department. Bay Sueet. St. Mxhael.
ss.58-59CAP. 117A s upreme Court of Judicature L.R.O. 1985 34
(a) to an order or decision of the High Court to deal with

an offence as if it were contempt of court in the face of the
High Court;
(b) to an order or decision of a magistrate’s court under section
Cap. 116. 122 of the Magistrates Jurisdiction and Procedure Act in
so far as that section confers jurisdiction in respect of
contempt of court; and
(c) to an order or decision of a magistrate’s court under
subsection (3) of section 83 of the Magistrates
Jurisdiction and Procedure Act,
but do not include references to orders under section 3 of the
Cap. 198. Debtors Act, or under any provision of the Magistrates
Cap. 116. Jurisdiction and Procedure Act, except those referred to in
paragraphs(b) and(c).
(8) This section does not apply to a conviction or sentence in
0~. 113.4. respect of which an appeal lies under the Criminal Appeal Act, or
to a decision of the Court of Appeal under that Act; and for the
purposes of that Act and of this subsection an order for the
punishment of any p.erson for contempt of court in proceedings in
which he has a right of appeal against his sentence shall be
treated as part of that sentence in those proceedings.
Appeals in 58. (1) An appeal lies to the Court of Appeal in any

habeas COT- proceedings upon application for habeas corpus, whether civil
pus pro-
ceedings.
or criminal, against an order for the release of the person
restrained as well as against the refusal of such an order.
(2) An appeal brought under this section does not affect the
right of the person restrained to be discharged in pursuance of the
order under appeal.
(3) In this section, “application for habeas corpus” has the
meaning given by section 18(S).
Appeals 59. Subject to rules of court, the provisions of the Magistrates

fromMa& Jurisdiction and Procedure Act regulating appeals apply in
trates’
respect of appeals under that Act or under any other enactment to
courts.
Cap. 116.
which the procedure in respect of appeals under that Act is
applied.
35 L.R.O. 1985 Supreme Court of Judicature CAP. 117A ~~60-61
60. (1) Subject to this section and section 53, every appeal or Composi-
reference to the Court of Appeal, and every matter preliminary or tion of
incidental to such an appeal or reference may only be heard spoof
before 3 judges of that court, and, if necessary, be determined .
according to the opinion ofthe majority.
(2) No judge of the Court of Appeal may sit as a judge on the
hearing of, or may determine, any application in proceedings
incidental or preliminary to
(a) an appeal against a conviction before him or a sentence
passed by him; or
(b) an appeal from a judgment or order made by him when
sitting in the High Court or in a division of the
High Court; or
(c) a reference to the Court of Appeal under the Criminal cap. 113~.
Appeal Act, of any cause or any point arising in any
case tried before him.
(3) Unless the Court of Appeal directs otherwise in a case
where the Court considers the question to be one of law on which
it would be convenient that separate judgments be pronounced by
the members of the Court, then, on an appeal under Part I of the
Criminal Appeal Act,
(a) the judgment of the court may only be pronounced by the
President of the Court or such other member of the Court
hearing the case as the President directs, and
(b)
no judgment with respect to the determination of any
questions shall be separately pronounced by any other
member of the court.
61. (1) Subject to subsection (5), for all the purposes of Powers of
and incidental to the hearing or determination of any appeal Tp;z”
against any decision or determination of a court, tribunal, .
authority or person, in this section referred to as “the original
court” ( and the amendment or enforcement of any judgment or
order made thereon, the Court of Appeal has, in addition to all
other powers exercisable by it, all the jurisdiction of the original
court and may
(a) confirm, reverse or vary the decision or determination of
the original court;

Rimed by the Government Prlntlng Department. Bay Street, St. Michael.
by the wthorlty of the Government of Barbados
S.61 CAP. 117A :‘lrjJrc,/;lc, C.or:‘l 0.f.Jicciicatrlre L.R.O. 1985 36
(h) remit the appeal or any matter arising thereon to the

original court with such declaration or directions as the
Court of Appeal thinks proper;
(c.) in the case of an appeal from a decision on determination
ofthe High Court, order a retrial or make any such order as
could be made in pursuance of an application for a new
trial:
((1) adjourn the hearing from time to time:
(c’) draw any inference of fact that might have been drawn, or
give any‘judgment or make any order that might have been
given or made by the original court, and make such further
or other order as the case requires:
(1) Lvhen the appeal is by case stated, amend the case stated or
remit it, with such declarations or directions as the
Court thinks proper, for hearing and determination by the
original court or for restatement or amendment or tor a
supplemental case to be stated thereon:
k) make such order as to the costs and expenses incurred In
the appeal and in the proceedings in the original court as
the Court of Appeal thinks tit;
(h) in special circumstances, order that such security be given
for the costs ofan appeal as appears just: and
(I) make such other order as is necessary for the due deter-
mination ofthc appeal.
(2) The powers of the Court of Appeal in respect of an appeal
to which subsection ( 1) applies
(u) are not restricted by reason of any interlocutory order from
which there has been no appeal; and
(b) may be exercised notwithstanding that no notice of appeal
or respondent’s notice has been given in respect of any
particular part of the decision of the original court.
or by any particular party to the proceedings in that court.
or that any ground for allowing the appeal or for
affirming or varying the decision of that court is
not specified in such a notice,
s.62
and the Court of Appeal may make any order, on such terms as the
Court thinks just, to ensure the determination on the merits of the real
question in controversy between the parties.
(3) It is the duty of the original court to have regard to all such
declarations and to obey all such directions, if any, as are given by the
Court of Appeal pursuant to subsection (1).
(4) Judgments and orders made by the Court of Appeal have the
like effect and may be enforced in like manner as judgements and
orders made by like original court.
(5) Subsection (1) does not apply to an appeal under the Criminal Cap. 113A.
Appeal Act.
62. (1) Subject to this section, on the hearing of an appeal in any New trials.
civil cause or matter, the Court of Appeal shall, if it appears to the
Court that a new trial should be held, have power to set aside the order
appealed against and order that a new trial be held.
(2) On the hearing of an appeal in any civil cause or matter, a new
trial may be ordered on any question without interfering with the find-
ing or decision upon any other question, and the Court of Appeal may
make such final or other order as the circumstances of the case may
require.
(3) On the hearing of an appeal from an order made in any action
tried with a jury,
(a) the Court of Appeal may make any such order as could be made
in pursuance of an application for a new trial or to set aside a
verdict, finding or judgment of the High Court;
(b) in any case where the Court of Appeal could order a new trial
on the ground that damages awarded by a jury are excessive or
inadequate, the Court of Appeal, in lieu of ordering a new trial
may,
(i) with the consent of all parties concerned, substitute for
the sum awarded by the jury such sum as appears to that
court to be proper;

ss.63-64
(ii) with the consent of the party entitled to receive or liable

to pay the damages, as the case may be, reduce or
increase the sum awarded by the jury by such amount as
appear to that Court to be proper in respect of any distinct
head of damages erroneously included in, or excluded
from, the sum so awarded;
but, save as aforesaid, the Court of Appeal shall not have power to
reduce or increase damages awarded by a jury.
(4) The Court of Appeal may not grant a new trial or reverse any
judgment because of a ruling of any court that the stamp upon any
document is sufficient or that the document does not require a stamp.
Substituted 63. Where under any enactment passed or made before

appeal. 4th November, 1991 it is provided that an appeal, either by way of
case stated or upon a point of law only,
(a) lies from any inferior court to the High Court or to a judge of
the Supreme Court; and
(b) the decision of that court or judge is expressed by such
enactment to be final,
that appeal lies instead to the Court of Appeal.
Appeals to Privy Council
Appeals to 64. (1) An appeal lies from decisions of the Court of Appeal to
Privy Her Majesty in Council
Council.
(a) as of right,
(i) from a final decision of the Court of Appeal, when the
matter in dispute on the appeal to Her Majesty in Council
is of the value of $5 000 or upwards, or when the appeal
involves, directly or indirectly, some claim or question to
or respecting property or a right or the value of $5 000 or
upwards; or
s.64
(ii) from final decisions in any civil, criminal or other

proceedings that involve a question concerning the
interpretation of the Constitution; and
(b) with leave of the Court of Appeal, from any other decision of
the Court of Appeal, whether final or interlocutory, if, in the
opinion of the Court of Appeal, the question involved in the
appeal is one that, by reason of its general or public
importance, or otherwise, ought to be submitted to Her
Majesty in Council for decision.

39 L.R.O. 1985 Supreme Court oj-Judicature C4.P. 117A ss.6.570
(2) This section does not apply to section 46 of the

Constitution, section 46( 1) of the Election Offences and tip. 3
Controversies Act or to any other enactment providing that any
determination of a court in any cause or matter is final.
65. The Barbados (Procedure and Appeals to Privy Council) Procedure.

Order, 1966 applies to all appeals from the Court of Appeal to :i$ ,Nf”.
Her Majesty in Council. United
Kingdom.
PART VI
SITTING AND DISTRIBUTION OF BUSINESS
66. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the High Court and the sittings.
Court of Appeal shall sit at such times and places as may be
prescribed by rules of court.
(2) The High Court in its Criminal Division shall sit at such
times and places as the Chief Justice appoints.
67. The Chief Justice may assign to a judge of the High Court Assignment
of Business.
any part of the business of a division of that Court.
68. Vacations of the court shall be for such periods as may be Vacations.
prescribed by rules of court.
69. (1) The Rules Committee shall provide in the rules of Sittings in
court for the hearing during any vacation by a Judge, Justice of vacation-
Appeal or by the Registrar of all such causes and matters as
require to be immediately or promptly heard.
(2) Writs may be issued and pleadings filed or amended
during any vacation of the court.
PART VII
JUDICIAL FUNCTIONS OF REGISTRAR
70. (1) The Registrar has the power and jurisdiction to do Powers.
such of the things and transact such of the business as by virtue of
any enactment or by custom or by the rules and the practice of the

Printed by the Government Printing Department. Bay Street, St. Mlchwl.
by the authority of the Governmen of Barbados
~~.71-73 CAP. 117A Supreme Court of Judicature L.R.O. 1985 40
High Court are now done and transacted by a judge of the High
Court sitting in Chambers as may from time to time be prescribed
by rules of court; but the Registrar has no jurisdiction in respect
of matters relating to the liberty of the subject.
(2) The Registrar has the authority and powers and shall
discharge the duties as heretofore in so far as that authority or
those powers and duties relate to any judicial proceedings and in
addition shall perform such duties
(a) as are necessaryfor the due conduct and discharge of the
business of the courts and as the judges thereof may
direct, or
(b) as may be prescribed by rules of court.
Taxing 71. (1) The jurisdiction of the High Court and the Court of
Master. Appeal in relation to the taxation of costs is vested in the
Registrar and shall be exercised in accordance with the rules of
court.
(2) Costs may be taxed and recovered in any action
notwithstanding the death of the party to or against whom those
costs were awarded.
Appeals. 72. A person aggrieved by any order or decision of the

Registrar sitting in Chambers may appeal to the High Court or to
the Court of Appeal, as the case may be, in such cases as may be
provided for by rules of court; the rules of court relating to
appeals from the Registrar to the High Court or to the Court of
Appeal, shall be
(a) in the case of the High Court, such as are prescribed
by rules of court; and
(b) in the case of the Court of Appeal, the rules of court
relating to appeals from a Judge in Chambers.
PART VIII
ADMINISTRATION
Responsi- 73. The Registrar is responsible for the administration of the
bility of several departments or sections of the Supreme Court and of the
Registrar.
ss.74-76
Registration Office and shall be assisted by the deputy and assistant

registrars and such other officers as are necessary for the purpose of
carrying out the Registrar's functions under this Act and the several
enactments vesting duties, authority and responsibility in the
Registrar.
74. The Registrar has custody of the seals of the Court of Appeal Seals.
and of the High Court and of all documents, records and papers of the
Courts.
Court Service
75. There shall be, within the public service, a unified and distinct Court
service to be known as the Court Service, the functions of which are Service.
(a) to facilitate the conduct of the business of all the courts in

Barbados;
(b) to give effect to foreign and commonwealth judgments or
orders for which reciprocal arrangements are in force;
(c) to discharge such other functions in relation to the courts or
the enforcement of the judgments or orders mentioned in
paragraph (b) as are conferred on, or transferred to, it, or any of
its officers by or under this Act or any enactment;
(d) to discharge the functions prescribed under the Court Process Cap. 111A.
Act.
76. (1) There shall be a Court Administrator who shall be the Court
person appointed to the office of Court Administrator established Administra-
tor.
under the Civil Establishments Act. Cap. 21.
(2) The Court Administrator is an officer of the Supreme Court and

is responsible under the general supervision of the Registrar for the
administration and organisation of the business of the Supreme Court,
the magistrate's courts and the several departments of the Registration
Office.

ss.77-80
PART IX
FUNDS IN COURT
Accounts. 77. The Registrar shall keep proper accounts in accordance with the
rules prescribed under section 80.
Bank 78. The Registrar shall maintain an account at the Barbados

account.
2000-24.
National Bank Inc. and, unless the court otherwise orders, shall pay all
sums received by him into that account, and shall pay all sums payable
by him out of it.
Payments 79. (1) The payment of money into the court is effected by paying
and it into the Registrar's account maintained under section 78.
Transfers.
(2) The transfer into the court of securities, other than such as are
transferable by delivery, is effected by transferring the securities to the
Registrar.
(3) The deposit in the court of effects or the transfer into the court
of securities transferable by delivery is effected by delivering the
effects or securities to the Registrar.
Rules as 80. (1) The Rules Committee may make rules regulating
to funds.
(a) the deposit, payment, delivery and transfer into and out of the
court, of money, securities and effects that belong to suitors or
are otherwise capable of being deposited in or paid or trans-
ferred into the court, or are under the custody of the court; and
(b) the evidence of the deposit, payment, delivery or transfer and
the manner in which money, securities and effects in court are
to be dealt with.
(2) Rules made under subsection (1) may
(a) require the Registrar to place on deposit, or invest, in
accordance with the order of the court, any money paid into or
transferred to the court, or prescribe and regulate in the absence
of any such order the deposit or investment of the money.
43 L.R.O. 1985 ,%p-eme Court ofJudicature CAP. 117A ss.81-82
(b) regulate the crediting of interest accruing on money placed

on deposit and the crediting of interest or dividends
accruing on securities in which motley has been invested by
the Registrar pursuant to an order of the court and on
other securities in court:
(c) provide that
(i) in such cases as may be prescribed, no sum of money,
in any amount, may be placed on deposit or be
invested in securities;
(ii) it is not necessary to place on deposit or invest a sum of
money of less than a prescribed amount:
(iii) in such circumstances as may be prescribed, interest
and dividends mentioned in paragraph (b) be placed
on deposit or be invested in securities;
(d) establish a procedure for dealing with accounts or effects

that, subject to any such exceptions as may be prescribed,
have not been dealt with for such period as may be
prescribed, not being less than 15years; and
(e) prescribe such matters as are necessary for giving effect to
this section.
PART x
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
81. (1) A committeeto be known as the Rules Committee of Rules

the Supreme Court, in this Act referred to as the “Rules $$+$+*ee
Committee” is hereby established. Supreme
(2) The Second Schedule applies with respect to the MI**-
appointment and constitution of the Rules Committee and second
Schedule.
otherwise in relation thereto.
(3) Any expenses incurred by the Rules Committee shall be
paid out of monies voted for the purpose by Parliament.
82. (1) The Rules Committee may make rules with respect to Functions
(a) the pleading, practice and procedure in or affecting, and ~~,“~~~t,e,

the forms used in connection with, any proceedings
lHE LAWS OF BARBADOS

Rinted by the Government Prlntlng Department, Bay Sucer, Sr Michael.
by the authority of the Covernmcnl 01 Barbados
s.82 CAP. 117A Supreme Court of Judicature L.R.O. 1985 44
before the High Court or the Court of Appeal or any

division, office, judge or officer of either such court, or any
person appointed by, or to assist it, including
(i) the mode of proof of any fact;
(ii) the assessment of damages, compensation or other
sums;
(iii) the payment of money into and out of court;
(iv) the circumstances in which and the terms on which a
stay of proceedings or execution may be granted or
an interim order may be made, including an order
authorising interim payments;
(v) costs, including the taxation of costs and security to be
given for costs;
(vi) the recording of proceedings and the’making available
of transcripts thereof; and
(vii) the impounding and release of documents or exhibits;
(b) the conditions subject to which process may be served out
of the jurisdiction of the High Court;
(c) the manner in which, the time within which and the
conditions on which steps in any proceedings mentioned in
paragraph (a) may or must be taken;
(d) the transfer of proceedings to or from any such court,
division, judge, offtcer or person mentioned in paragraph
(a);
(e) the practice and procedure of the High Court in non-
contentious probate business;
v> the practice and procedure to be followed in exercising
jurisdiction over the person, property or affairs of persons
under any disability; and
(9) the extent to which and the circumstances in which
documents filed in any proceedings mentioned in
paragraph (a) may be inspected and copied.
(2) The Rules Committee may make rules
s.82
(a) regulating the sitting of any court, division or judge to which

or to whom paragraph (a) of subsection (1) applies and any
sitting of the Registrar or person appointed by, or to assist, that
court;
(b) authorising the exercise by a judge of the High Court of
jurisdiction while sitting in Chambers and prescribing when a
judge exercising that jurisdiction is to be deemed to constitute
the High Court;
(c) providing for the distribution of business of the High Court
among the several divisions of that Court;
(d) prescribing what part of the business transacted and of the
jurisdiction exercised by the High Court and the Court of
Appeal may be transacted or exercised by the Registrar or
officers serving in the Supreme Court, and providing for the
review of any jurisdiction exercised by those officers;
(e) regulating or providing for any other matter with respect to
which the Rules Committee is authorised to make rules under
any other enactment, including any other provision of this Act;
and
(f) generally for the purpose of carrying any of the provisions of
this Act into effect.
(3) Rules of court may prescribe the cases in which the juris-
diction or powers of the High Court or a judge may be exercised by a
referee appointed by the Court or a referee agreed upon by the parties,
and, without limiting subsection (1), may in particular
(a) authorise the whole of any cause or matter or any question or
issue therein to be ordered to be tried before, or any question
arising in any cause or matter to be ordered to be referred for
enquiry and report to, any such referee; and
(b) authorise powers of attachment and committal to be exercised
by any referee appointed by the Court, but not by any other
referee,
and may make any provision incidental to any such provisions.

ss.83-84
(4) The decision of a referee, agreed upon by the parties, may be

called in question in such manner, whether by an appeal to the Court
of Appeal or by an application to the Court, as may be prescribed by
rules or court; but rules of court may provide either generally or to a
limited extent for a decision of a referee appointed by the Court to be
called in question only by appeal on a question of law.
(5) Rules made by the Rules Committee may limit the amount of
costs recoverable by any party in proceedings that, having regard to
the amount or the nature of the relief claimed or awarded, could have
been commenced in the magistrate's courts.
(6) The Rules Committee may not make, without the concurrence
of the Minister responsible for Finance, any rule or order that
(a) directs money to be paid out of or in aid of the Consolidated
Fund; or
(b) prescribes or alters court fees;
but the validity of any such rule may not be called in question in any
proceedings in any court, either by the court or by any party to the
proceedings, on the ground only that the Minister responsible for
Finance did not concur or is not expressed to have concurred in the
making of the rule.
(7) Rules made by the Rules Committee may amend or repeal any
rules of court in force immediately before the commencement of this
section.
Publication 83. Rules of court made by the Rules Committee shall be

of rules. published in the Gazette.
References 84. Where in any enactment made or passed before

to Judicial 4th November, 1991 provision is made for the making of rules of court
Advisory
Council. by the Judicial Advisory Council or by the Chief Justice, or by the
Chief Justice in concurrence with a person or body of persons, that
provision shall be read as if it were a reference to the Rules
Committee.
ss.85-88
85. (1) Subject to rules of court, the costs of and incidental to all Award
costs.
proceedings in the High Court and the Court of Appeal, including the
administration of estates and trusts, are in the discretion of the Court
and each court has power to determine by whom and to what extent
the costs are to be paid.
(2) Where any enactment passed before or after
4th November, 1991 confers jurisdiction on the High Court or any
judge thereof in regard to any matter without expressly conferring
jurisdiction to award or deal otherwise with the costs of the
proceedings connected with that matter, subsection (1) applies to
authorise the court or judge, in its or his discretion, to award and deal
with those costs.
(3) Nothing in this section alters the practice in any criminal cause
or matter.
86. (1) In any cause or matter before the High Court or the Court Trial with
of Appeal, other than a criminal proceeding by or in the name of the accessors.
Crown, the Court may, if it thinks it expedient, call in the aid of one or
more assessors specially qualified, and try and hear the cause or
matter wholly or partly with their assistance.
(2) Any remuneration to be paid to an assessor shall be determined
by the Court.
87. A document purporting to have affixed or impressed on it or Affidavits

taken.
subscribed to it the seal or signature of a court, judge, notary public or
person having authority to administer oaths in any part of the
Commonwealth in testimony of an affidavit being taken before it or
him in such place is admissible in evidence without proof of the seal
or signature being the seal or signature of the court, judge, notary
public or person.
88. (1) It may be provided by the rules of court that bonds to be Court
given for the purpose of any proceedings in the High Court or the bonds.
Court of Appeal be given in such form and to such officer of the Court
by his official title as prescribed in the rules.

s.89
(2) Where a bond has been given for the purpose of proceedings
in any court and it appears to the court, upon application made to it,
that a condition of the bond has been broken, the Court may order that
the bond be enforced.
(3) In the case of an order under subsection (2), the officer of the
court to whom the bond was given is entitled by virtue of the order to
enforce the bond in his own name as if it had been originally given to
him; and, as trustee for all persons entitled thereto, he shall hold all
money recoverable for the breach of the condition in respect of which
the order was made.
(4) A judge or officer having jurisdiction in a matter to which a
bond relates may, upon application made to him, disallow or annul
any bond upon evidence that appears to him to be sufficient to justify
the disallowance or annulment of the bond.
Engrossment 89. (1) The Chief Justice may make regulations

etc. of
instruments. (a) with respect to the enrolment, engrossment, filing or
registration in the Supreme Court of documents to which
subsection (2) refers; and
(b) specifying the form in which certificates of enrolment,
engrossment, filing or registration are to be granted, or the
manner in which the respective rolls, registers or files of
documents are to be inspected.
(2) Any document that is required or authorised by any enactment
or rule of law or practice to be enrolled or engrossed or filed or
registered in any manner in the Supreme Court and not being a
document required to be filed or registered pursuant to rules of court,
shall be deemed to have been duly enrolled, engrossed, filed or
registered, as the case may be, in compliance therewith if it is written
on such material and has been filed or registered in such manner as is
authorised by regulations under this section.
(3) In subsection (2) "written" includes typewritten, printed,
engraved, lithographed, photographed or represented or reproduced
by any mode of representing or reproducing words in a visible form.
ss.90-93
(4) Except as provided by subsection (2), nothing in any

regulations made under this section affects the operation of any
enactment requiring or authorising the enrolment, engrossment, filing
or registration of deeds in the Supreme Court.
90. In any cause or matter founded on a negotiable instrument, the Lost

Court may order that the loss of the negotiable instrument shall not be negotiable
instruments.
set up, so long as an indemnity is given to the satisfaction of the Court
or of an officer of the Court specified by the Court, against the claims
of any other person upon the negotiable instrument.
91. (1) The High Court may, for the purposes of any civil cause Conveyanc-
ing counsel.
or matter before it, appoint as conveyancing counsel to the Court an
attorney-at-law who has practised in Barbados for not less than
10 years.
(2) Provision may be made in the rules of court with respect to the
appointment and allowances of an attorney-at-law appointed under
subsection (1).
92. In any action or proceedings brought by any person under Right of

Attorney-
section 24 of the Constitution alleging that any of the provisions of General in
sections 12 to 23 of the Constitution has been, is being or is likely to constitu-
be contravened in relation to him, the High Court shall give notice of tional issues.
the question arising in such proceedings to the Attorney-General, who

shall be entitled as of right to be heard either in person or by an
attorney-at-law, notwithstanding that the Crown is not a party to the
action or proceedings.
PART XI
THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL
93. (1) There is hereby established a Judicial Council which shall Judicial
Council.
be responsible for the administration of the courts of Barbados and
shall
(a) formulate policy in relation to all matters affecting the
performance of the courts;

s.94
(b) keep under review matters of jurisdiction and procedure;

(c) administer legal aid;
(d) prepare an annual budget for submission to the Minister
responsible for Finance;
Third (2) The Third Schedule applies with respect to the appointment
Schedule. and constitution of the Judicial Council and otherwise in relation
thereto.
(3) The Judicial Council shall meet as often as the business of the
Council requires, but not less frequently than once every quarter.
2004-6. (4) The Judicial Council shall
(a) prepare for each calendar year a report on all matters relating
to the administration of justice, outlining progress made and
any problems anticipated; and
(b) submit the report to the Attorney-General no later than the
31st March of the year following the calendar year in respect
of which the report is prepared.
(5) The Attorney-General shall forthwith table the report of the
Judicial Council in Parliament.
PART XII
TRANSITIONAL, ETC.
Transitional. 94. (1) In this section,

(a) “Divisional Court” means the Divisional Court of the High
Cap. 117. Court established under Part VI of the former Supreme Court
of Judicature Act,1 and
(b) “former Court of Appeal” means the Court of Appeal

established under the Constitution and constituted under
Part VII of the former Supreme Court of Judicature Act.1
1
Cap. 117 was repealed by this Act.
s.95
(2) Where, in any civil or criminal cause or matter, notice of

appeal from the judgment or order of the High Court or of the
Divisional Court to the former Court of Appeal has been given before
4th November, 1991, all proceedings in respect of that appeal may be
continued before the Court of Appeal.
(3) Where, in any civil or criminal cause or matter, notice of
appeal from any judgment or order of the High Court has been given
to the former Court of Appeal before 4th November, 1991 but
proceedings in respect of that appeal are, after that date, still pending
before the last-mentioned court, all those proceedings shall be
continued before the Court of Appeal.
(4) Where notice of appeal from any decision of an inferior
court has been given to the Divisional Court, or where the Divisional
Court has ordered that an appeal be heard by the former Court of Appeal
before 4th November, 1991, but proceedings in respect of that appeal
are, after that date, still pending before either of those courts, all those
proceedings shall be continued before the Court of Appeal.
95. This Act binds the Crown, but, as respects civil proceedings to Act binds
which the Crown Proceedings Act applies, it does so only so far as, Crown.
Cap. 197.
and no further than, those proceedings can be brought by or against
the Crown in accordance with that Act.
FIRST SCHEDULE
(Section 16)
BUSINESS ASSIGNED TO FAMILY DIVISION
1. Proceedings connected with any matrimonial cause or matter in respect of

which the High Court exercises jurisdiction.
2. Proceedings for a declaration in respect of
(a) the validity of a marriage or of the dissolution or annulment of a marriage

by decree, and related matters;
(b) the paternity of a child.
3. Proceedings in relation to the wardship of minors.

Cap. 215. 4. Proceedings under the Minors Act, and otherwise in relation to the
guardianship of minors, except proceedings for appointment of a guardian of a
minor's estate alone.
Cap. 218A. 5. Proceedings under section 26(3) of the Marriage Act.
6. Proceedings in which a parent or guardian of a minor applies for a writ of

habeas corpus ad subjiciendum relative to the custody, care or control of the minor.
7. Proceedings relating to the adoption of minors.
8. Proceedings relating to
(a) the enforcement of maintenance orders made overseas for periodical

payments to a spouse or dependant;
(b) persons under disability.
_____________________
SECOND SCHEDULE
(Section 81(2))
CONSTITUTION AND APPOINTMENT OF THE RULES

COMMITTEE AND RELATED MATTERS
Constitution 1. The Rules Committee consists of

of Rules
Committee. (a) the Chief Justice, who shall be chairman;
(b) the Justices of Appeal and the Judges;
(c) the Solicitor-General;
(d) the Chief Parliamentary Counsel;
Cap. 370A. (e) the President of the Bar Association as defined in section 2 of the Legal
Profession Act;
(f) 3 attorneys-at-law nominated by the Council of the Bar Association and

appointed by the Governor-General,
and has the functions conferred on that Committee by section 82.

2. (1) In the case of the absence of the chairman, or his inability to act as such, Acting
the senior judge shall exercise the functions of the chairman. appoint-
ments.
(2) Where any member of the Rules Committee nominated by the Chief Justice
or the Bar Association is unable to act, the Chief Justice or the Bar Association,
as the case may be, may nominate another qualified person to act temporarily in the
place of the member who is unable to act.
3. The Registrar is Secretary of the Rules Committee. Secretary.
4. The Rules Committee shall meet at such times and places as may be Mettings.
necessary or expedient for the transaction of its business.
5. (1) Rules of court may be made, and other powers of the Rules Committee Quorum.
exercised, at a meeting of the Rules Committee by a majority consisting of not less
than 3 members and the chairman of the meeting.
(2) In the case where the voting is equal, the chairman shall have a second or
casting vote.
6. Subject to this Schedule, the Rules Committee may regulate its own Procedure.
procedure.
_____________________
THIRD SCHEDULE
(Section 93(2))
CONSTITUTION AND APPOINTMENT OF THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL

AND RELATED MATTERS
1. The Judicial Council shall consist of Appoint-

ment of the
Judicial
(a) The Chief Justice, who shall be chairman; Council.
(b) the Justices of Appeal and the Judges;
(c) the Solicitor-General;
(d) a magistrate appointed by the Governor-General;
(e) the Registrar;

Cap. 370A. (f) the President of the Bar Association, as defined by section 2 of the Legal
Profession Act;
(g) 3 attorneys-at-law nominated by the Council of the Bar Association and

appointed by the Governor-General;
(h) 2 persons appointed by the Governor-General from among persons who in

his opinion are capable of representing the interest of the community.
Tenure of 2. Subject to the right to resign his office and to that of the Governor-General to
office. revoke his appointment at any time, a person appointed under sub-paragraph (d), (g)
or (h) of paragraph 1 shall hold office for a term of 3 years.
Chairman. 3. In the case of the absence of the chairman, or his inability to act as such, the
senior judge shall exercise the functions of the chairman.
Secretary. 4. The Court Administrator is Secretary of the Judicial Council.
Procedure 5. (1) The chairman may at any time call a special meeting of the Judicial
and Council, and shall call such a meeting if required so to do by the Governor-General.
meetings.
(2) The chairman and 5 other members of the Judicial Council shall form a
quorum.
(3) In the case where the voting is equal, the chairman shall have a second or
casting vote.
(4) Subject to this Schedule, the Judicial Council may regulate its own
procedure.

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1 L.R.O. 1991 Supreme Court of Judicature CAP.

THE LAWS OF BARBADOS

15. Divisions of High Court.

37. Law and equity to be concurrently administered.

DISCOVERY AND RELATED PROCEDURE

JURISDICTION AND POWERS OF COURT OF APPEAL

THE LAWS OF BARBADOS

55. Appeals relating to fundamental rights and freedoms.

64. Appeals to Privy Council.

SITTINGSAND DISTRIBUTION OFBUISNESS

JUDICIAL FUNCTIONS OF REGISTRAR

75. Court service.

76. Court Administrator.

78. Bank account.

79. Payments and transfers.

80. Rules as to funds.

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

81. Rules Committee of Supreme Court. Second Schedule.

82. Functions of Rules Committee.

83. Publication of rules.

84. References to Judicial Advisory Council.

85. Award of costs.

86. Trial with assessors.

87. Affidavits taken.

88. Court bonds.

89. Engrossment etc. of instruments.

90. Lost negotiable instruments.

THE LAWS OF BARBADOS

91. Conveyancing counsel.

92. Rights of Attorney-General in constitutional issues.

THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL

93. Judicial Council.

95. Act binds Crown.

BUSINESS ASSIGNED TO FAMILY DIVISION

CONSTITUTION AND APPOINTMENT OF THE RULES

CONSTITUTION AND APPOINTMENT OF THE JUDICIAL

SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE

An Act to make provision with respect to the constitution, jurisdiction 1981-27.

[4th November, 1991] Commence-

2. In this Act, Definitions.

"action" means a civil proceeding commenced by writ or in such other

THE LAWS OF BARBADOS

Cap. 1. "enactment" has the same meaning as in the Interpretation Act;

3. The Supreme Court of Judicature consisting of the High Court Jurisdiction,

4. (l) The High Court consists of Constitution

THE LAWS OF BARBADOS

for a period of, or periods amounting in the aggregate to not less

THE LAWS OF BARBADOS

(c) the remuneration allowances or pensions of a Judge of that

JURISDICTION AND POWERS OF HIGH COURT

(2) The jurisdiction vested in the High Court includes, except as

THE LAWS OF MBMDos

14. Every proceeding in the High Court in a civil cause or Proceetings

17. (1) No action or other proceeding is open to objection on Declaratory

THE LAWS OF BARBADOS

(3) Notwithstanding that the events on which a right depends

sentence, the High Court may, instead of quashing the conviction,

THE LAWS OF BARBADOS

(2) Where application is made to make a minor a ward of court, the