View source for Law of Gibraltar

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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Politics of Gibraltar}}
The '''[[law]] of [[Gibraltar]]''' is a combination of [[Common law#History|common law]] 
and [[statute]], and is based heavily upon [[English law]].

The [[English Law (Application) Act 1962]] stipulates that English common law will apply to Gibraltar unless overridden by Gibraltar law. However, as Gibraltar is a [[self-governance|self-governing]] [[British overseas territories|British overseas territory]], it maintains its own independent [[tax law|tax status]] and its [[Gibraltar Parliament|parliament]] can enact laws independently of the [[United Kingdom]].

==Constitution==
{{main|Constitution of Gibraltar}}
The [[Gibraltar Constitution Order 2006]] replaced the [[Gibraltar Constitution Order 1969]].

==Legislation==
The legislature is the [[Gibraltar Parliament]] (formerly called the Gibraltar House of Assembly). It replaced the [[Gibraltar Legislative Council]] which replaced the Governor-in-Council.

The [[Government gazette|gazette]] is the [[Gibraltar Gazette]].<ref>[https://guides.loc.gov/law-gibraltar/legal-guides Legal Guides]. Guide to Law Online: Gibraltar. Library of Congress.</ref>

===List of legislation===
{{incomplete list|date=June 2023}}

Ordinances:
*The Census of Population Ordinance, Gibraltar, 1868 (No 2)
*The Press Ordinance, Gibraltar, 1869 (No 1)
*The Governor's Salary Ordinance 1873 (No 1)
*The Foreign Recruiting Ordinance 1876 (No 1 of 1877)
*The Extradition Ordinance, Gibraltar, 1877 (No 2)
*The Exportation of Arms Ordinance 1878 (No 1)
*Dog Ordinance, Gibraltar, 1880 (No 1)
*The Petty Debt Ordinance, Gibraltar, 1881 (No 1)
*The Forgery of Money Orders Ordinance, Gibraltar, 1882 (No 1)
*The Stamp Ordinance, Gibraltar, 1882 (No 2)
*The Trespass Ordinance, Gibraltar, 1883 (No 1)
*The Gibraltar Market Ordinance 1883 (No 2)
*The Petroleum Ordinance, Gibraltar, 1884 (No 1)

Acts of the Gibraltar Legislative Council:
*The [[English Law (Application) Act 1962]]

==Cases and reports==
Collections of [[law reports]] include:
*The Gibraltar Law Reports. These reports cover cases from a period that begins in 1812.<ref>"Gibraltar Law Reports" (1979) [https://books.google.com/books?id=t1bpAAAAMAAJ 10] The Law Librarian 50 (No 3, December 1979)</ref> For the purpose of [[Case citation|citation]], the name of these reports may be abbreviated to "Gib LR".<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZOA-AQAAIAAJ The Gibraltar Law Reports 1979]. [https://www.legalabbrevs.cardiff.ac.uk/titles/tview/id/9242/tsearch//ttype/Exact Gibraltar Law Reports], Cardiff Index to Legal Abbreviations.</ref>

==Courts and judiciary==
{{main|Judiciary of Gibraltar}}
There is a Court of Appeal for Gibraltar, a Supreme Court of Gibraltar, and a Magistrates' Court. There is a [[Chief Justice of Gibraltar|Chief Justice]].<ref>[https://www.gcs.gov.gi/justice-system Justice System]. Gibraltar Courts Service.</ref>

==Legal practitioners==
There is a [[fused profession]]. It has two branches, [[barrister]]s and [[solicitor]]s. The two branches are not separate, have identical [[rights of audience]], can both be approached directly by clients, and can both be members of firms.<ref>Gibraltar: Detailed Assessment Report on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism, International Monetary Fund, May 2007,
[https://books.google.com/books?id=d_8YEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA91 p 91]. Milton Grundy, [https://books.google.com/books?id=yKFHAQAAIAAJ Tax Havens: A World Survey], 1999, p 44; Grundy's Tax Havens: A World Survey, [https://books.google.com/books?id=BSgtAQAAIAAJ 3rd Ed], The Bodley Head, 1974, p 47. "Gibraltar" (1914) [https://books.google.com/books?id=jJA6AQAAMAAJ 13] Journal of the Society of Comparative Legislation 138. Tolley's Tax Havens, [https://books.google.com/books?id=wqJHAQAAIAAJ 3rd Ed], 2000, p 221. Soar, "Gibraltar", The New International Directory of Legal Aid, 2002, [https://books.google.com/books?id=6M9KEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA112 p 112]. Tett and Chadwick, "Bar Association of Gibraltar", Professional Organizations in the Commonwealth, [https://books.google.com/books?id=FQLtAAAAMAAJ 2nd Ed], 1976, p 406. The Autobiography of D N Pritt, 1965, [https://books.google.com/books?id=d2VHAQAAIAAJ Part 1], p 158.</ref> The [[Gibraltar Bar Council]]<ref>Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes: Gibraltar 2020 (Second Round), OECD, [https://books.google.com/books?id=-XL6DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA28 p 28]</ref> replaced<ref>[http://www.barcouncil.gi/about/ About the Bar Council], Gibraltar Bar Council.</ref> the Gibraltar Bar Association (or Bar Association of Gibraltar).<ref>Tett and Chadwick, "Bar Association of Gibraltar", Professional Organizations in the Commonwealth, [https://books.google.com/books?id=FQLtAAAAMAAJ 2nd Ed], 1976, p 406. "Gibraltar", International Directory of Bar Associations, [https://books.google.com/books?id=qVw5AQAAIAAJ 3rd Ed], 1964. "Notes on the Legal System" in "Gibraltar", [https://books.google.com/books?id=Ul05AQAAIAAJ Kime's International Law Directory], 1999, p 165.</ref>

==Criminal law==
{{further|Capital punishment in Gibraltar}}
As to the [[criminal law]] of Gibraltar generally, see the Crimes Act 2011 (No 2011–23). This Act repealed and replaced the Criminal Offences Act (No 1960–17), the Drugs (Misuse) Act (No 1973–06), the Crimes (Computer Hacking) Act 2009 (No 2009–44), the Dangerous Dogs Act 2003 (No 2003–03), and the Crimes (Indecent Photographs with Children) Act 2009 (No 2009–40).<ref>The Crimes Act 2011, section 599(1)</ref>

As to [[criminal procedure]] in Gibraltar, see the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act 2011 (No 2011–24). This Act repealed and replaced the Criminal Procedure Act (No 1961–24) and the Crimes (Vulnerable Witnesses) Act 2009 (No 2009–34).<ref>The Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act 2011, section 699(1)</ref>

As to [[extradition]], see the Extradition Act 2018 (No 2018–29) and the Extradition Arrest Warrant Act 2004 (No 2004–04). As to the return of fugitive offenders, see the Fugitive Offenders Act 2002 (No 2002–15).

As to the proceeds of crime, see the Proceeds of Crime Act 2015 (No 2015–22). As to drug traffiking offences, see the Drug Trafficking Offences Act (No 1995–06). As to [[criminal libel]], see Part V of the Defamation Act (No 1960–36).

==Taxation==
{{main|Taxation in Gibraltar}}
As to [[income tax]], see the Income Tax Act 2010 (No 2010–21). This Act repealed and replaced the Companies (Taxations and Concessions) Act 1983 (No 1983–13) and the Income Tax Act 1952 (No 1952–11), except section 41A.<ref>The Income Tax Act 2010, section 75 and Schedule 9, paragraph 1(1) (as read with section 74) </ref> As to [[social insurance]] contributions, see the Social Security (Insurance) Act (No 1955–14). As to [[stamp duties]], see the Stamp Duties Act 2005 (No 2005–73). As to [[import duty]], see Part V of the Imports and Exports Act 1986 (No 1986–21).

As to the implementation of the [[Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters]], see the Taxation (Mutual Administrative Assistance) Act 2014 (No 2014–06).

==See also==
*[[Government of Gibraltar]]

==References==
*[https://guides.loc.gov/law-gibraltar Guide to Law Online: Gibraltar]. The [[Library of Congress]].
*[http://www.worldlii.org/catalog/2822.html Gibraltar]. WorldLII.
*Ian Hendry and Susan Dickson. "Gibraltar". British Overseas Territories Law. Second Edition. Hart Publishing. 2018. Pages [https://books.google.com/books?id=0wxbEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA346 346] to 349. See also pages 1, 2, 10, 20, 27, 31, 34, 46, 48, 58, 61, 65 to 69, 72, 73, 79, 84, 85, 87, 100, 102, 103, 105, 107, 109 to 112, 114, 115, 119, 122, 123, 125 to 127, 129, 133, 137, 139, 140, 146, 147, 149, 153, 154, 157, 158, 166, 168, 170, 173, 175, 178, 180 to 182, 187, 188, 201, 204, 206, 214, 222, 223, 228, 230 to 232, 234 to 236, 239, 243, 252, 263, 264, 286, 287, 296, 297 and 302.
*"Gibraltar" in "Modes of Legislation in the British Colonies" (1897) 1 Journal of the Society of Comparative Legislation [https://books.google.com/books?id=psUoAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA144 144] to 146
*C E A Bedwell (ed). "Gibraltar". The Legislation of the Empire. Butterworth & Co. 1909. Volume 3. Pages [https://archive.org/details/legislationofemp03bedwuoft/page/519/mode/1up 519] to 522.
*S Gatty, "Gibraltar" in "Review of the Legislation of the British Empire in 1895" (1897) 1 Journal of the Society of Comparative Legislation [https://books.google.com/books?id=psUoAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA12 12] and 13
*S Gatty, "Gibraltar" in "Review of the Legislation of the British Empire in 1896" (1897) 2 Journal of the Society of Comparative Legislation [https://books.google.com/books?id=cpM6AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA148 148]. See also page xii.
*Albert Gray, "Gibraltar" (1903) 5 Journal of the Society of Comparative Legislation [https://archive.org/details/journalcomparat11londgoog/page/457/mode/1up 457]
*The Gibraltar Law Reports.
**John Farley Spry (ed). The Gibraltar Law Reports 1812–1977. Charles G Trico. (Trico Printers). Gibraltar. 1980.
**The Gibraltar Law Reports 1978. [https://books.google.com/books?id=ReA-AQAAIAAJ Google].
**The Gibraltar Law Reports 1979. [https://books.google.com/books?id=ZOA-AQAAIAAJ Google].
*Roger Sewell Bacon. A History of the Courts of Gibraltar (1704–1951). Supreme Court. Gibraltar. 1951. 
*"Judicial System". The Europa World Year Book 2004. Europa Publications. 2004. Volume 2. [https://books.google.com/books?id=gP_-8rXzQs8C&pg=PA4471 Page 4471].
*Robert French Sheriff. The Consolidated Laws of Gibraltar. Stevens and Sons. London. 1890. [https://books.google.com/books?id=8BgTAAAAYAAJ&pg=PR1 Google].
*"Gibraltar". The Statutory Rules and Orders and Statutory Instruments Revised to December 31, 1948. HMSO. 1951. Volume 9. Pages [https://books.google.com/books?id=86tQAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA609 609] to 654.
*Annual Report on Gibraltar
**"Legislation" and "Justice, Police and Prisons". Annual Report on Gibraltar for the Year 1946. HMSO. 1947. Chapters 8 and 9. Pages [https://books.google.com/books?id=_IAnAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA4-PA30-IA1 31] to 38.
*Dennis C Benamati. "Gibraltar". Newman (ed). Crime and Punishment around the World. ABC-CLIO. 2010. Volume 4. Pages 132 to 137. [https://books.google.com/books?id=2uK6bR9byVIC&pg=RA3-PA134 Google].
*James Levy and Simon Caplan. Tolley's Taxation in Gibraltar 1981-1982. (Tolley's Taxation in Gibraltar). Tolley. Croydon. 1982. See trust and company law chapter. 
*T J Revill. Gibraltar: International Tax Planning. Longman. London. 1986. See trust and company law chapters.
*Keith Azopardi. "The Nature of Acquisition and the Assertion of Jurisdiction". Sovereignty and the Stateless Nation: Gibraltar in the Modern Legal Context. (Studies in International Law, volume 24). Hart Publishing. 2009. Pages 25 to [https://books.google.com/books?id=lAfcBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA27 27]. "Gibraltar" in "Table of Legislation" at pages [https://books.google.com/books?id=lAfcBAAAQBAJ&pg=PR27 xxvii] to xxx. "Gibraltar" in "Table of Cases" at [https://books.google.com/books?id=lAfcBAAAQBAJ&pg=PR19 page xix].
*Michell Walsh Hassans. [https://books.google.com/books?id=cIuWDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT152 "Gibraltar"]. Post-Employment Covenants in Employment Relationships. (Comparative Law Yearbook of International Business). Wolters Kluwer Law & Business. 2014.
*Stephen V Cantania. "Gibraltar". Damian Taylor (ed). The Dispute Resolution Review. Ninth Edition. Law Business Research. 2017. [https://books.google.com/books?id=D8xeDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT339 Chapter 14].
*Charles Simpson. "Gibraltar". James Stewart (ed). Family Law: Jurisdictional Comparisons. Sweet & Maxwell. 2011. Pages [https://books.google.com/books?id=ETCjjMb_sucC&pg=PA143 143] to 158.
*Charles Simpson. "Gibraltar". Collins, Kempster, McMillan and Meek (eds). International Trust Disputes. Oxford University Press. 2012. [https://books.google.com/books?id=Y8ONgZxpQtYC&pg=PT511 Chapter 25].
*Peter A Isola and Adrian Pilcher. "Gibraltar". John Rhodes (ed). Private Client Tax: Jurisdictional Comparisons. Second Edition. Sweet & Maxwell. 2012. Page [https://books.google.com/books?id=uxdv_-ryDSMC&pg=PA113 113] to 129.
*[https://books.google.com/books?id=2l7UDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT103 "Gibraltar"]. Outsourcing Legal Services: Impact on National Law Practices. The Comparative Law Yearbook of International Business. Wolters Kluwer Law & Business. 2012.
*Archer. Gibraltar, Identity and Empire. 2006. [https://books.google.com/books?id=YGz51UgdncgC&pg=PA77 Page 77].
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100501001609/http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/law-a-justice Gibraltar's Law & Justice System]
* [http://www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi/ Searchable database of the laws of Gibraltar]

{{Gibraltar topics}}
{{Europe in topic|Law of}}

[[Category:Law of Gibraltar| ]]
[[Category:Self-governance]]