The Court of Appeal of Belize was established under section 94 of the Constitution of Belize, and Chapter 4 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000. It exercises an appellate jurisdiction with power to hear and determine appeals in both civil and criminal matters.
The court held its first sitting in Belize on March 25, 1969 and now sits three times a year in March, June and October. The duration of each session depends on the number of matters scheduled for hearing in a particular session. Presently each session lasts three weeks with the dedication of the first two weeks of the session primarily to the hearing of criminal appeals. A panel of three judges presides at any one time upon the hearing of any civil or criminal matter.
There are currently four judges of the Court of Appeal which comprises of the President, who is presently a resident Belizean and three other judges, two of which are from the Commonwealth Caribbean.