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Country Background

Saint Lucia is an island country located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago. The capital of Saint Lucia is Castries. The official language is English, though French patois is also spoken on the island. The country's population in 2017 was approximately 164,994 people. Saint Lucia is a predominantly Christian country, with about 90% of the population Christian.

Constitution & Legal Structure

Saint Lucia is referred to as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy (within the realm of the Commonwealth), in which the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. After becoming an associated state in 1967, Saint Lucia declared its independence from the United Kingdom in 1979. Its current Constitution was adopted in 1978. The system of government is based on principles of separation and checks and balances and has three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The legal system of Saint Lucia is a common law system, influenced by the English model. 

Constitutional Status of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no constitutional status in Saint Lucia. 

Jurisdiction(s) of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no official jurisdiction of operation in Saint Lucia. 

Dominant School of Islamic Law

Saint Lucia has no official school of Islamic law. 

Sources of Law for Legal Research

Official Publications

• Executive
  • Government Portal
• Judicial
  • Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court

Unofficial Databases

• FAOLEX: Saint Lucia (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) database of national laws and regulations on food, agriculture, and renewable natural resources.
• NATLEX: Saint Lucia (International Labour Organization) database of national laws on labor, social security, and related human rights.
• RefWorld Legal Information: Saint Lucia (UNHCR)
• WIPO Lex: Saint Lucia (World Intellectual Property Organization)

References:

For an extended list of legal resources for this country, see the Library of Congress’s Research Guide. The Constitution is available in the LOC Guide in its original language and at Constitute in English. For full versions of past constitutions, amendments, and related legislation, see HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated or Oxford Constitutions of the World [subscription required for each].