The Supreme Court
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The Supreme Court of Belize is located at the corner of Regent Street and Treasury Lane, Belize City, Belize, Central America.
The Supreme Court of Belize is established as a superior court of record under sections 94 and 95 of the Constitution. The Court has unlimited original jurisdiction to hear and determine any civil or criminal proceedings under any law. The Court also hears and determines any appeals arising from any decision of an inferior court. There are currently 8 Judges of the Supreme Court including the Chief Justice.
The Supreme Court sits in its Civil Division in Belize City and in three Districts sits in its criminal jurisdiction namely:
1. The Northern District (comprising the Districts of Corozal and Orange Walk);
2. The Central District (comprising the Districts of Belize City and Cayo) ;
3. The Southern District (comprising the Districts of Stann Creek and Toledo).
The administration of the Supreme Court of Belize is directed by the Chief Justice and the Registrar General.
The Supreme Court of Belize strives to operate under the following mandates set out under its vision and mission statements:
Vision Statement
To foster and maintain a judicial system characterized by fairness, integrity and efficiency founded upon the rule of law with the aim of inspiring public confidence engendered by competence and responsiveness to the diversity and ever evolving character of the society.
Mission Statement
To administer justice in an impartial and independent manner in accordance with the law ensuring fairness and equal treatment for all persons and affording protection in respect of the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in and guaranteed under the Constitution of Belize.
The Supreme Court Registry
The Supreme Court Registry is responsible for the housing and collecting of all records and data pertaining to the Supreme Court. The Registry is located on the ground floor of the Supreme Court Building at the corner of Regent Street and Treasury Lane, Belize City. The General Registry is established under section 3 of the General Registry Act which is now Chapter 327 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000.
The Registry is headed by the Registrar General. There is also a Deputy Registrar General, a Deputy Registrar General (Appeals) and an Assistant Registrar General to assist with the daily functions of the Registry. The Registry staff includes a Finance Officer, Court Marshalls, a Legal Secretary, a Trust Officer, a Marriage Officer, various clerks and an Office Assistant.
Apart from its principal functions, the Registry also deals with estate matters, the granting of marriage licenses and the sealing of notary public documents referred to as apostilles. Marriage ceremonies can also be performed at the Registry.
The Supreme Court Registry also provides oversight and supervision of the Belize Intellectual Property Office, Vital Statistics Unit and The Companies Registry.
The Sub- Registry of the Caribbean Court of Justice is also housed in the Supreme Court Registry’s building and documents to be filed for any action before the Caribbean Court of Justice can be filed at this sub-registry.