The BVI Government
Visit the government website for detailed information, www.bvi.gov.vg.
The Governor of the British Virgin Islands is the representative of Her Majesty the Queen and is responsible for defense and internal security, external affairs, terms and contitions of service of public officers, and the administration of the courts; it possesses reserved legislative powers in these areas.
The Executive Council, with the Governor as chairman, includes the Attorney General, (ex-officio) the Chief Minister (appointed by the Governor from those elected to the Legislative Council) and three other ministers appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister.
The Legislative Council consists of the four ministers and five other popularly elected representatives, and is presided over by a speaker elected from outside the Council.
The judicial system is under the direction of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, which includes the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal. Other bodies are the Magistrates' Court, a Juvenile Court, and a Court of Summary Jurisdiction.