About the Turks & Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos Islands is a self-governing British Overseas Territory with a ministerial system of government and as such is guided by British legislation. Most of the law derives from Ordinances passed in the House of Assembly and to a much lesser extent from legislation specially extended to the Islands by Britain. To the extent statutory law does not apply or requires interpretation, the common law of England applies.

The court system comprises the Magistrate's Court, Supreme Court, Court of Appeal (all of which sit in the Islands), and the Privy Council in England as the final appellate body. The Supreme Court is vested with the same jurisdiction and powers as the High Court of England.

The 2006 Constitution provides for a Governor appointed by Her Majesty the Queen, a Cabinet and a House of Assembly. The Cabinet deals with the affairs of the Government. It is presided over by His Excellency the Governor and is made up of the elected Ministers of Government. The House of Assembly is responsible for the passage of laws, monitoring Government policies and bringing to account the Executive Branch on behalf of the electorate.