Government and Politics of British Virgin Islands

Legal System

English law

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Executive Branch

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022), represented by Governor Daniel PRUCE (since 29 August 2023) head of government: Premier Natalio "Sowande" WHEATLEY (since 5 May 2022) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor from members of the House of Assembly elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is typically appointed premier by the governor

Legislative Branch

unicameral Legislative Council (13 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 1 member from each of nine electoral districts, 4 at-large members; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 16 May 2003 (next to be held in 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NDP 8, VIP 5

Judicial Branch

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction

Political Parties

Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL]

Head of State

Queen ELIZABETH II

Head of Government

Premier Ralph T. O NEAL

Cabinet

Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the House of Assembly

Elections

none; the monarch is hereditary; commissioner and administrator appointed by the monarch

Constitution

1 June 1977

National Holiday

Territory Day, 1 July

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

none (overseas territory of the UK)

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Capital City

Road Town

Location

18 25 N, 64 37 W

Time Difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

History

name refers to the nautical term "roadstead" or "roads," a body of water less sheltered than a harbor but where ships can lie reasonably safely at anchor sheltered from rip currents, spring tides, or ocean swells

U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown Wildey Business Park Wildey St. Michael, Barbados Telephone: (246) 227-4399 Emergency after-hours telephone: (246) 227-4000 Facsimile: (246) 431-0179 Email: BridgetownACS@state.gov Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Barbadian and U.S. holidays.