Library Street
Gibraltar GX11 1AA
English case law is generally binding in Gibraltar and this is often relied upon by our courts. Our laws consist of Gibraltar Acts of Parliament, the English common law and principles of equity, some English Acts of Parliament which have force of law in Gibraltar and, following Brexit, retained EU law. The practice and procedure used in civil and criminal matters largely reflect the practice and procedure used in England and Wales with variations to suit local conditions.
The court system in Gibraltar is similar to that of England and Wales. Gibraltar has its own Magistrates Court, Coroner’s Court and Supreme Court.
The Magistrates Court primarily deals with lower level criminal and administrative matters.
The Supreme Court is the equivalent of the High Court and Crown Court in England and Wales. It has unlimited jurisdiction to hear and determine any civil or criminal proceedings. It deals with more serious criminal matters which fall out of the remit of the Magistrates Court. Family, Chancery and Admiralty legal matters are also heard in the Supreme Court.
The first appellate court is the Gibraltar Court of Appeal that sits in Gibraltar periodically. A right of further appeal lies to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.
Gibraltar also has an Industrial Tribunal that deals with employment law matters.