Fighting Domestic Violence

Barbados

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1. Legal provisions
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1. Legal provisions Start Comparison
1.1 What are the relevant statutes and codes?

The relevant statutes and codes are as follows:

  • Criminal Procedure Act
  • Domestic Violence (Protection Orders) Act 1993 ("1993 Act") (amended by the Domestic Violence (Protection Orders) (Amendment Act) 2016 ("2016 Act")) (collectively, "Act")
  • Evidence Act 1994, Cap. 121 ("Evidence Act")
  • Family Act 1981-29
  • Maintenance Act 1984
  • Minors Act 1985
  • Offenses Against the Person Act 1995
  • 1966 Constitution of Barbados
1.2 What is the controlling case law?
Being a common law jurisdiction, Barbados' case law is based and bound by local court decisions and the decisions issued by the Caribbean Court of Justice. Where appropriate, decisions made in other common law jurisdictions such as Canada or the UK may be applied for guidance purposes rather than being binding.
1.3 What are the specific parts of the court system that address domestic violence?
The magistrates' court is responsible at the first instance for deciding on domestic violence cases and other offenses against the person.
1.4 What are potential causes of action?
There is no specific cause of action in respect of domestic violence. The main legal remedy is to obtain a civil protection order.
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