The Supreme Court of Belize was the superior court of record of Belize, with unlimited original jurisdiction over civil and criminal proceedings under section 95 of the Constitution and the Chief Justice at its head. It is a historical institution. The Belize Constitution (Tenth Amendment) Act 2022 deleted the term Supreme Court from the Constitution wherever it appeared and substituted High Court, and the Senior Courts Act 2022, assented to on 15 November 2022, repealed the Supreme Court of Judicature Act and provided that any reference to the Supreme Court in other law is to be read as a reference to the High Court. The Senior Courts of Belize now consist of the Court of Appeal and the High Court of Justice, so the court no longer exists under this name. Chief Justices Sir George Brown and Kenneth Benjamin presided over it.
Facts
Jurisdiction ScopeUnlimited original jurisdiction to hear and determine civil and criminal proceedings under any law, as a superior court of record 1 Jurisdiction Scope
Jurisdiction Scope (category) Supreme Court of Belize
Filter Results2 entries
Connections
Has Member
Source Sir George Brown, former Chief Justice, dead at 65, Amandala
Source New Chief Justice, Louise Blenman, sworn in, Amandala
In Legal System
Source CIA World Factbook: The World Factbook: Legal system
Succeeded By
Source Belize Constitution (Tenth Amendment) Act, 2022 (Act No. 25 of 2022), text
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Belize Constitution (Tenth Amendment) Act, 2022 (Act No. 25 of 2022), textLong title of the ActQuote, Long title of the Act
to establish the Senior Courts of Belize;
Sources
1. Belize Constitution Act, Chapter 4, substantive laws as at 31 December 2011
Constitution section 95(1), original jurisdiction
The Supreme Court shall have unlimited original jurisdiction to hear and determine any civil or criminal proceedings under any law and such jurisdiction and powers as may be conferred on it by this Constitution or any other law,
Constitution section 95(3), superior court of record
(3) The Supreme Court shall be a superior court of record and, save as otherwise provided by any law, shall have all the powers of such a court.
In Category: Courts, Constitution section 95(3), courts of Belize
(3) The Supreme Court shall be a superior court of record and, save as otherwise provided by any law, shall have all the powers of such a court.
View the SourceBelize Constitution (Tenth Amendment) Act, 2022 (Act No. 25 of 2022), text
Section 2, substitution of term
The principal Act is amended by deleting the term “ Supreme Court” wherever it appears and substituting the term “High Court”.
Succeeded By: High Court of Justice of Belize, Section 2, term High Court substituted for Supreme Court
The principal Act is amended by deleting the term “ Supreme Court” wherever it appears and substituting the term “High Court”.
View the SourceSenior Courts Act 2022, statute replacing the Supreme Court of Judicature Act
Section 4(1), reference to Supreme Court deemed a reference to the High Court
Where in any Act or Ordinance or other law in force prior to the commencement of this Act, reference is made to the Supreme Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction and powers, or to a Judge of the Supreme Court, that reference shall be deemed to be a reference to the High Court or to a Judge of the High Court as the case may be.
Section 245(1), repeal
The Supreme Court of Judicature Act and the Court of Appeal Act and the Court of Appeals Rules are repealed.
Assent block, date of assent
15th November 2022
View the SourceWikidata: Supreme Court of Belize
Wikidata Q7644879, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source CIA World Factbook: The World Factbook: Legal system
CIA World FactbookIn Legal System: Law of Belize, Government, legal systemQuote, In Legal System: Law of Belize, Government, legal system
English common law
Sir George Brown, former Chief Justice, dead at 65, Amandala
Has Member: George Brown (Belizean judge), Obituary, career paragraph, Justice of the Supreme CourtQuote, Has Member: George Brown (Belizean judge), Obituary, career paragraph, Justice of the Supreme Court
Sir George became a Justice of the Supreme Court in 1984, after he left the post of Solicitor General in the Attorney General’s Ministry, which he held for 3 years.
New Chief Justice, Louise Blenman, sworn in, Amandala
Has Member: Kenneth Benjamin (judge), Opening paragraph, predecessor Chief JusticeQuote, Has Member: Kenneth Benjamin (judge), Opening paragraph, predecessor Chief Justice
Blenman will be replacing Kenneth Benjamin, who retired in March 2020.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.