The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2025 Central America and the Caribbean
Judicial branch Belize, in 36 editions.
The entry for Belize published Judicial branch in 36 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2025. The text changed in 18 editions. Each is shown as published. Judicial branch in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 18
- the first edition with it
- 1990
- the latest edition with it
- 2025
Published as “Judicial branch” (1990 to 2025).
field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe edition shownChoose an edition on the strip beside the text, or step through them with the arrows. Mark changes compares it with the edition before: the marks are ours, words added and words removed.
2015 edition
Changed since 2014- Supreme Court Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dame Elmira Minita GORDON (since 21 September 1981);
- Head of Government--Prime Minister George Cadle PRICE (since 4 September 1989)
Supreme Court Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dame Elmira Minita GORDON (since 21 September 1981); Head of Government--Prime Minister George Cadle PRICE (since 4 September 1989)
- Supreme Court Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dame Elmira Minita GORDON (since 21 September 1981);
- Head of Government--Prime Minister George Cadle PRICE (since 4 September 1989) People's United Party (PUP), George PRICE, Florencio MARIN, Said MUSA;
- United Democratic Party (UDP), Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean LINDO, Dean BARROW;
- Belize Popular Party (BPP), Louis SYLVESTRE
Supreme Court Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dame Elmira Minita GORDON (since 21 September 1981); Head of Government--Prime Minister George Cadle PRICE (since 4 September 1989) People's United Party (PUP), George PRICE, Florencio MARIN, Said MUSA; United Democratic Party (UDP), Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean LINDO, Dean BARROW; Belize Popular Party (BPP), Louis SYLVESTRE
The same text in 4 editions, 1992 to 1995.
Supreme Court
Rewritten: too little of the 1991 text remains to mark the changes.
Supreme Court
Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on advice of the prime minister
Supreme Court Court, the chief justice is appointed by
the governor general on advice of the prime minister
The same text in 1997 and 1998.
Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on advice of the prime minister
Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by
governor general on advice of the prime minister
Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on advice of the prime minister
Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by the
the governor general on advice of the prime minister
Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on advice of the prime minister
Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by
The same text in 7 editions, 2001 to 2007.
Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister)
Supreme Court, the Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister minister)
Supreme Court of Judicature (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal
Supreme Court of Judicature (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister) minister); Court of Appeal
The same text in 2009 and 2010.
- Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and District Courts (civil jurisdiction);
- Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister);
- Court of Appeal;
- Privy Council in the UK;
- member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)
Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and District Courts (civil jurisdiction); Supreme Court of Judicature (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal Appeal; Privy Council in the UK; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)
The same text in 2011 and 2012.
- Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister);
- Court of Appeal;
- Privy Council in the UK;
- member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ);
- Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and District Courts (civil jurisdiction)
Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and District Courts (civil jurisdiction); Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal; Privy Council in the UK; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) (CCJ); Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and District Courts (civil jurisdiction)
The same text in 2013 and 2014.
- highest court(s):
Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 2 judges)
note - in 2005, Belize ceased final appeals in civil and criminal cases to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London), replacing it with the Caribbean Court of Justice, the judicial organ of the Caribbean Community
- judge selection and term of office:
- Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader;
- justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment;
- Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader;
- other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader;
- judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75
- subordinate courts:
- Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and District Courts (civil)
Rewritten: too little of the 2012 text remains to mark the changes.
highest court(s):
Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 2 judges)
note - in 2005, Belize ceased final appeals in civil and criminal cases to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London), replacing it with the Caribbean Court of Justice, the judicial organ of the Caribbean Community
judge selection and term of office:
Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment; Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader; other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75
subordinate courts:
Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and District Courts (civil)
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 2 judges);
- in 2005, Belize ceased final appeals in civil and criminal cases to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London), replacing it with the Caribbean Court of Justice, the judicial organ of the Caribbean Community
- judge selection and term of office:
- Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader;
- justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment;
- Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader;
- other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader;
- judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75;
- in 2013, the Supreme Court chief justice overturned a constitutional amendment that had restricted Court of Appeal judge appointments to as short as 1 year
- subordinate courts:
- Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and District Courts (civil)
highest court(s):judges) judges); in 2005, Belize ceased final appeals in civil and criminal cases to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London), replacing it with the Caribbean Court of Justice, the judicial organ of the Caribbean Community
note -
judge selection and term of office:75 75; in 2013, the Supreme Court chief justice overturned a constitutional amendment that had restricted Court of Appeal judge appointments to as short as 1 year
subordinate courts:
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 2 judges);
- in 2005, Belize ceased final appeals in civil and criminal cases to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London), replacing it with the Caribbean Court of Justice, the judicial organ of the Caribbean Community
- judge selection and term of office:
- Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader;
- justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment;
- Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader;
- other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader;
- judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75;
- in 2013, the Supreme Court chief justice overturned a constitutional amendment that had restricted Court of Appeal judge appointments to as short as 1 year
- subordinate courts:
- Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and district courts (civil)
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 2 judges); in 2005, Belize ceased final appeals in civil and criminal cases to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London), replacing it with the Caribbean Court of Justice, the judicial organ of the Caribbean Community
judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment; Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader; other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75; in 2013, the Supreme Court chief justice overturned a constitutional amendment that had restricted Court of Appeal judge appointments to as short as 1 year
subordinate courts: Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and District Courts district courts (civil)
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 2 judges);
- note - in 2010, Belize ceased final appeals in civil and criminal cases to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) and acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice
- judge selection and term of office:
- Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader;
- justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment;
- Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader;
- other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader;
- judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75;
- in 2013, the Supreme Court chief justice overturned a constitutional amendment that had restricted Court of Appeal judge appointments to as short as 1 year
- subordinate courts:
- Magistrate Courts; Family Court
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 2 judges); note - in 2005, 2010, Belize ceased final appeals in civil and criminal cases to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London), replacing it with London) and acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice, the judicial organ of the Caribbean Community Justice
judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment; Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader; other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75; in 2013, the Supreme Court chief justice overturned a constitutional amendment that had restricted Court of Appeal judge appointments to as short as 1 year
subordinate courts: Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and district courts (civil) Magistrate Courts; Family Court
- highest courts:
- Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 2 judges);
- note - in 2010, Belize acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London
- judge selection and term of office:
- Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader;
- justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment;
- Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader;
- other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader;
- judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75;
- in 2013, the Supreme Court chief justice overturned a constitutional amendment that had restricted Court of Appeal judge appointments to as short as 1 year
- subordinate courts:
- Magistrate Courts; Family Court
highest court(s): courts: Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 2 judges); note - in 2010, Belize ceased final appeals in civil and criminal cases acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) and acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice in London
judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment; Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader; other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75; in 2013, the Supreme Court chief justice overturned a constitutional amendment that had restricted Court of Appeal judge appointments to as short as 1 year
subordinate courts: Magistrate Courts; Family Court
The same text in 3 editions, 2019 to 2021.
- highest courts:
- Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 10 justices);
- note - in 2010, Belize acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London
- judge selection and term of office:
- Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor-general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader;
- justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment;
- Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader;
- other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader;
- judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75;
- in 2013, the Supreme Court chief justice overturned a constitutional amendment that had restricted Court of Appeal judge appointments to as short as 1 year
- subordinate courts:
- Magistrates' Courts; Family Court
highest courts: Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 2 judges); 10 justices); note - in 2010, Belize acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London
judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor general governor-general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment; Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader; other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75; in 2013, the Supreme Court chief justice overturned a constitutional amendment that had restricted Court of Appeal judge appointments to as short as 1 year
subordinate courts: Magistrate Magistrates' Courts; Family Court
The same text in 3 editions, 2022 to 2024.
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 10 justices);
- note - in 2010, Belize acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London
- judge selection and term of office:
- Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor-general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader;
- justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment;
- Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader;
- other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader;
- judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75;
- in 2013, the Supreme Court chief justice overturned a constitutional amendment that had restricted Court of Appeal judge appointments to as short as 1 year
- subordinate courts:
- Magistrates' Courts; Family Court
highest courts: court(s): Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 10 justices); note - in 2010, Belize acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London
judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor-general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment; Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader; other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75; in 2013, the Supreme Court chief justice overturned a constitutional amendment that had restricted Court of Appeal judge appointments to as short as 1 year
subordinate courts: Magistrates' Courts; Family Court
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 10 justices);
- the Caribbean Court of Justice is the final court of appeal
- judge selection and term of office:
- Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor-general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader;
- justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment;
- Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader;
- other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader;
- judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75
- subordinate courts:
- Magistrates' Courts; Family Court
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 10 justices); note - in 2010, Belize acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as is the final court of appeal, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London appeal
judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor-general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment; Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader; other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75; in 2013, the Supreme Court chief justice overturned a constitutional amendment that had restricted Court of Appeal judge appointments to as short as 1 year 75
subordinate courts: Magistrates' Courts; Family Court
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Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Belize: Judicial branch.” The World Factbook, 1990–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/belize/judicial-branch.