British Antarctic Territory

Government

Legislation

The Commissioner can enact laws, known as Ordinances, ‘for the peace, order and good government of the Territory’.  Our Ordinances cover different aspects of life in the Territory, including the judicial system, the allocation of public funds, tax, marriage and the environment.  Any new British Antarctic Territory (BAT) laws are then set out in the BAT Gazette.

The Administration of Justice Ordinance 2021 states, in so far as local circumstances permit, the ‘law of England’ is to be applied in the BAT.  However we have a range of our own legislation where the law differs.

The BAT also has its own justice system, including a Supreme Court and the ability to summon other courts including the Magistrate’s Court, Summary Courts and the Coroner’s Court. The Commissioner appoints the Judges, Magistrates and Coroner.

Legislation made in the UK can be found on www.legislation.gov.uk.

British Antarctic Territory Ordinances can be found below.

Contents

— Administration

— Crime and justice

— Environment

— Immigration and customs

— Miscellaneous

Administration

Crime and justice

Environment

Immigration and customs

Miscellaneous