The Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007

1.       Citation, commencement and establishment of Constitution

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

CHAPTER 1

INTERPRETATION

2.       Interpretation

3.       References to public office

4.       Appointments

5.       Re-election or reappointment

6.       Removal from office

7.       Resignation

8.       Power to amend or revoke instruments

CHAPTER 2

FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF THE INDIVIDUAL

Sections 9-23

9.       Fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual

10.     Interpretation of Chapter 2

11.     Protection of right to life

12.     Equality before the law

13.     Protection from inhuman treatment

14.     Protection from slavery and forced labour

15.     Protection of right to personal liberty

16.     Provisions to secure protection of law

17.     Protection of right of prisoners to humane treatment

18.     Protection of freedom of movement

19.     Protection of private and family life and privacy of home and other property

20.     Protection of the right to marry and found a family

21.     Protection of freedom of conscience

22.     Protection of the right to education

23.     Protection of freedom of expression

Sections 24-25

24.     Protection of freedom of assembly and association

25.     Protection from deprivation of property

Sections 26-34

26.     Protection from discrimination

27.     Provisions for periods of public emergency

28.     Protection of persons detained under emergency laws

29.     Protection of the environment

30.     Protection of children

31.     Enforcement of protective provisions

32.     Proceedings which might affect freedom of conscience

33.     Proceedings which might affect freedom of expression

34.     Establishment of a Human Rights Commission

CHAPTER 3

THE GOVERNOR

35.     Governor

36.     Deputy Governor

37.     Acting Governor

38.     Functions of Deputy Governor

39.     Deputy to Governor

40.     Exercise of Governor’s functions

41.     Crown lands

42.     Powers to constitute offices and make appointments, etc

43.     Powers of pardon, etc

44.     Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy

45.     The public seal

CHAPTER 4

THE EXECUTIVE

46.     Executive authority of the Virgin Islands

47.     Cabinet

48.     Meetings of the Cabinet

49.     Proceedings in the Cabinet

50.     Summoning of persons to the Cabinet

51.     Cabinet Secretary

52.     Appointment of Ministers

53.     Tenure of office of Ministers

54.     Absence of Ministers from the Virgin Islands

55.     Performance of functions of Premier in certain events

56.     Assignment of responsibilities to Ministers

57.     National Security Council

58.     Attorney General

59.     Director of Public Prosecutions

60.     Governor’s special responsibilities

61.     Oaths and affirmations

CHAPTER 5

THE LEGISLATURE

Composition

62.     Composition of Legislature

63.     House of Assembly

64.     Elected members

65.     Qualifications for elected membership

66.     Disqualifications for elected membership

67.     Tenure of seats of members of House of Assembly

68.     Qualifications of voters

69.     Speaker and Deputy Speaker

70.     Leader of the Opposition

Powers and Procedure

71.     Power to make laws

72.     Standing Orders

73.     Oaths and affirmations

74.     Presiding in the House of Assembly

75.     Voting

76.     Validity of proceedings

77.     Quorum

78.     Introduction of Bills, etc

79.     Assent to Bills

80.     Disallowance of laws

81.     Governor’s reserved power

82.     Privileges, immunities and powers of House of Assembly

Miscellaneous

83.     Sessions of House of Assembly

84.     Prorogation and dissolution

85.     Recalling dissolved House of Assembly in case of emergency

86.     General elections

87.     Determination of questions as to membership

88.     Penalty for unauthorised sitting or voting

CHAPTER 6

THE JUDICATURE

89.     Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court

90.     Subordinate courts and tribunals

CHAPTER 7

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

Public Service - General

91.     Public Service Commission

92.     Power to appoint, etc, to public office

93.     Teaching Service Commission

94.     Judicial and Legal Services Commission

95.     Power to appoint, etc, to legal offices

96.     Police Service Commission

97.     Power to appoint, etc, to offices in the Police Force

98.     Legislation regarding Commissions

Pensions

99.     Applicability of pension law

100.   Pensions, etc, charged on Consolidated Fund or Pension Fund

101.   Grant and withholding of pensions, etc

CHAPTER 8

FINANCE

102.   Consolidated Fund

103.   Withdrawal of money from Consolidated Fund or other public funds

104.   Authorisation of expenditure

105.   Authorisation of expenditure in advance of appropriation

106.   Contingencies Fund

107.   Public debt

108.   Remuneration of certain officers

109.   The Auditor General

CHAPTER 9

THE COMPLAINTS COMMISSIONER AND REGISTER OF INTERESTS

110.   The Complaints Commissioner

111.   Functions of Complaints Commissioner

112.   Registration of interests

CHAPTER 10

TRANSITIONAL AND MISCELLANEOUS

113.   Meaning of the appointed day

114.   Revocations

115.   Existing laws

116.   Existing offices and officers

117.   Standing Orders

118.   Elections

119.   Power reserved to Her Majesty

        SCHEDULE 1  —  FORMS OF OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS

        SCHEDULE 2  —  REVOCATIONS