The Government of British Virgin Islands

British Virgin Islands - Government

Based on the etymolgy of British Virgin Islands, it was the islets, cays, and rocks surrounding the major islands reminded explorer Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 of Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgin followers (Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Virgenes), which over time was shortened to the Virgins (las Virgenes). The Government system in this country is the Overseas Territory of the UK with limited self-government; parliamentary democracy type and the different Administrative divisions includes: none (overseas territory of the UK)

National symbols

Zenaida dove, white cedar flower.

The flag

The National flag of British Virgin Islands has .

The National Anthem

Title
Lyric/music

More about the government of British Virgin Islands

Constitution
Date of Independence	none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday	Territory Day, 1 July (1956)
Legal system	English common law
International law organization participation
History	Several previous; latest effective 15 June 2007 (The Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007)
Amendment process	Initiated by any elected member of the House of Assembly; passage requires simple majority vote by the elected members of the Assembly and assent by the governor on behalf of the monarch
Citizenship
Executive Branch
Chief of state	King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Daniel PRUCE (since 29 January 2024)
Head of government	Premier Dr. Natalio WHEATLEY (since 5 May 2022)
Cabinet	Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the House of Assembly
Election/appointment process	the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as premier
Legislative branch
Legislature name	House of Assembly
Legislative structure	Unicameral
Number of seats	15 (directly elected and appointed)
Scope of elections	Full renewal
Term in office	4 years
Most recent election date	4/24/2023
Parties elected and seats per party	VIP (6); NDP (3); PVIM (3); PU (1)
Expected date of next election	2027
Judicial branch
Highest court(s)	The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and consists of the Court of Appeal -- headed by the chief justice and 4 judges -- and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts
Judge selection and term of office	Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the British monarch; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62
Subordinate courts	Magistrates' Courts
Diplomatic representation in the US
Diplomatic representation from the US
Embassy	None (overseas territory of the UK)