Constitution Order of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1979
Obligations of the State
  • English

    Where every person in Saint Vincent is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, color, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest,
    … (Sec. 1)

Obligations of Private Parties
  • English

    Where every person in Saint Vincent is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, color, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest,
    … (Sec. 1)

Judicial Protection
  • English
    (1) If any person allege that any of the provisions of sections 2 to 15 inclusive of this Constitution has been, is being or is likely to be contravened in relation to him (or, in the case of a person who is detained, if any other person alleges such a contravention in relation to the detained person), then, without prejudice to any other actin with respect to the same matter that is lawfully available, that person (or that other person) may apply to the High Court for redress.
    (2) The High Court shall have original jurisdiction-
    a. to hear and determine any application made by any person in pursuance of subsection (1) of this section, and
    b. to determine any question arising in the case of any person which is referred to it in pursuance of subsection (3) of this section, and may make such declarations and orders, issue such writs and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for the purpose of enforcing or securing the enforcement of any of the provisions of sections 2 to 15 (inclusive) of this Constitution:
    Provided that the High Court may decline to exercise its powers under this subsection if it is satisfied that adequate means of redress for the contravention alleged are or have been available to the person concerned under any other law.
    (3) If in any proceeding in any court (other than the Court of Appeal or the High Court or a court-martial) any question arises as to the contravention of any of the provisions of sections 2 to 15 (inclusive) of this Constitution, the person presiding in that court may, and shall if any party to the proceedings so request, refer the question to the High Court unless, in his opinion, the raising of the question is merely frivolous or vexatious.
    (4) Where any question is referred to the High Court in pursuance of subsection (3) of this section, the High Court shall gibe its decision upon the question and the court in which the question arose shall dispose of the case in accordance with that decision or, if that decision is the subject of an appeal to the Court of Appeal or to Her Majesty in Council, in accordance with the decision of the Court of Appeal or, as the case may be, of Her Majesty in Council.
    (5) The High Court shall have such powers in addition to those conferred by this section as may be conferred upon it by Parliament for the purpose of enabling or more effectively to exercise the jurisdiction conferred upon it by this section.
    (6) The Chief Justice may make rules with respect to the practice and procedure of the High Court in relation to the jurisdiction and power conferred on it by or under this section (including rules with respect to the time within which applications may be brought and references shall be made to the High Court). (Sec. 16)
Judicial Protection
  • English
    Subject to the provisions of section 36 of this Constitution, an appeal shall lie from decisions of the High Court to the Court of Appeal as of right in the following cases-

    b. final decisions given in exercise of the jurisdiction conferred on the High Court by section 16 of this Constitution (which relates to the enforcement of the fundamental rights and freedoms);
    … (Sec. 98)
Links to all sites last visited 1 March 2024
2
Chapter VII on Citizenship.
3
Chapter I on Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
4
Chapter I on Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.