Whilst reference is normally made to Bermuda in the singular, Bermuda actually comprises a group of over 150 islands and islets situated approximately 580 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, USA. As is clear from the map below, Bermuda is quite isolated from any other islands or land mass and is the worlds northern-most coral island.

There are seven principal islands connected by causeways and bridges, with a habitable area of approximately 20.5 square miles, supporting a population of some 57,000.

Government and the Economy

 

Bermuda was colonized by England in 1612 and remains the oldest self-governing colony in the British Commonwealth.

The Bermuda Constitution Order, which became effective on 8th June 1 9 68 r provides for internal self-government, with responsibility for external affairs defense, internal security and the police retained by Her Majesty’s Government (in the person of the Governors.

In addition to making provisions relating to the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, the Constitution provides for the exercise of government through a legislature, comprising the Queen, a nominated Senate and an elected House of Assembly, with Executive Government through Her Majesty and a Cabinet.

Since 1684 Governors of Bermuda, acting on behalf of Her Majesty, have been appointed by the Crown. A Deputy Governor takes over in the event of the Governor's allness or absence and assists His Excellency in the exercise of the reserved Powers and Acts for the British Government in treaty and naturalization matters.

The Cabinet consists of the Premier who is the First Minister, and at least six other Ministers Designated honorable, most of whom are members of the House of Assembly. Presently there are twelve ministerial posts.

The Premier is the majority leader in the House of Assembly (appointed by the Governor) and he nominates the other Ministers, who are assigned responsibility for Government Ministries and Departments.

The Senate, referred to as the " Upper' House of Parliament, may initiate legislation with the exception of "money" bills. Generally, however, the usual course of a bill is for the House of Assembly to initiate it, the Senate to approve it and the Governor to sign it into statute. There are eleven members of the Senates five are appointed on the advice of the Premier, three on the advice of the Opposition Leader and three by the Governor himself.

The House of Assembly consists of forty members elected since 1968 under universal adult franchise from twenty constituencies. Members elect a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker.

The Opposition Leader, appointed by the Governor, is the leader of the largest minority group in the House of Assembly.

A person is eligible to vote at General and Bye-Elections if he or she is:

a) A British subject

b) Either has Bermuda status, or was registered to vote in the election of 1 975

c) 18 or over

d) Physically present to vote

e)Registered to vote.

The Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected by the House of Assembly members from among them and are expected, notwithstanding their political affiliations, to act in a neutral capacity for House business.

The economy is substantially dependent upon tourism, international business and related industries. These activities provide for the employment of the majority of the workforce in the islands and foreign currency earnings are produced by tourism and international business approximately equally.

Per capita income is approximately $26,500, giving Bermuda one of the highest average incomes of any country devoid of oil as a natural resource.

Bermuda has little unemployment Approximately 20% of the local workforce remains non-Bermudian, essentially in business and the hotels. However the graduation of better academically equipped school-leavers in numbers greater than the number of new jobs being created has led to a government policy which prohibits non-Bermudians from occupying certain basic classifications of employment.

Lacking any natural resource base, local manufacturing is on a small scale and is insufficient to cater to all Bermuda's needs. Items manufactured include concrete block, paints, perfumes, jewelry and toiletries. The few items exported are cut flowers, aircraft meals, pottery and woodwork. However banking in Bermuda is a major industry, used extensively, operated efficiently, with international recognition and correspondence worldwide. In addition, as a result of the development of the exempt company industry there are a number of local lawyers and qualified accountants and auditors.

Publishing, printing, ship repairing and bunkering are also exceptionally well established, with modern facilities and skilled local employees.

 

The systems of law applicable in Bermuda are the common law, the doctrines of equity and all English Acts of general application which were in force on 1 1 th July 1 612. These systems are subject to Acts passed in Bermuda since that date repealing, modifying or amending those laws or doctrines.

Under the Constitution appointments to the Judiciary are the direct responsibility of the Governor. The Judicial Department is headed by the Chief Justice, and is administered by the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

The Court of Appeal for Bermuda consists of a President and two Justices of Appeal. The Court was first constituted in 1964 and sat for the first time in September 1965. The Appeal Court normally sits three times a year to hear appeals from decisions of the Supreme Court in its civil and criminal jurisdictions.

The Judges of the Supreme Court of Bermuda are at present a Chief Justice and two Puisne Judges. The Court enjoys unlimited jurisdiction in all divisions of the law. It sits in its Criminal, Divorce, Civil, Appellate and Admiralty jurisdictions as directed by the Chief Justice.

The Magistrates' Courts are presided over by a Senior Magistrate and two other stipendiary Magistrates, who have jurisdiction throughout the island to try all summary offenses; and with the consent of the accused, certain indictable offenses. Their jurisdiction to try indictable offenses has, in recent years been extended considerably. Additionally, the Magistrates hear and determine civil actions where the claim does not exceed $2,500and they also have jurisdiction in matrimonial proceedings.

A Special Court consisting of a Magistrate sitting with two lay members (drawn from a special panel} decides questions of affiliation, adoption and custody of minors and deals with juvenile offenders.

 

All non-Bermudians coming to obtain work in Bermuda must be in possession of a valid work permit before arrival.

Having regard to the confined space on the island, these are only issued to non-Bermudians who have families of fewer than three children.

Great efforts are made to ensure that Bermudians have the first opportunity to take up jobs in Bermuda and evidence is required to be presented to the immigration authorities, illustrating the difficulty in obtaining local staff before permission would be forthcoming for the issue of a work permit.

For a person wishing to take up residence in Bermuda without the intention of seeking employment. immigration permission is more readily forthcoming.

To obtain a residence certificate application must be made to the immigration authorities who will require character and banking references together with evidence that the applicant is in possession of private means.

A non-Bermudian can acquire Bermuda real estate providing the annual rental value of the house or condominium is not less than a minimum level set by Government Currently $43,800for a house and $15,300 for a condominium). The rental value of all residential property is determined by the Government Rent Commissioner and may change from time to time. In addition, a Government levy is payable on the purchase price at the time of purchase at a rate of 15 % for condominiums and 20% for houses.

Bermuda's medical services and facilities are of an extremely high standard and whilst there is no free state health service, as is available in a number of places elsewhere, a compulsory hospital insurance scheme is subscribed to by employers who often supplement the minimal contribution with additional benefits.

There are four private schools in Bermuda, in addition to a large number of government schools with the standard being of a good level.

One peculiar restriction in Bermuda is that your car is restricted to a certain size and to the ownership of one for each household.

To continue to minimize the road congestion, self-drive cars are not available for hire, but there are a number of taxis, again a reflection on the substantial dependence on tourism.

Traffic drives on the left and is subject to a strictly enforced speed limit of 20 miles per hour.

 

The unit of currency in Bermuda is the Bermuda dollar, which is tied to the US dollar at par.

There are three commercial banks in Bermuda which offer full commercial banking services. The banks each have their own correspondents with major banks in financial centers around the world and are equipped to handle business and financial transactions in all of the world’s major cities and in all currencies, including Euro Dollars. Two of the banks have several branch operations in key financial centers.

Bermuda exercises its own independent controls under the Exchange Control Act, 1972, and regulations made thereunder. Exchange control is administered by the exchange control department of the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

 

Bermuda is exceptionally well served with efficient international telecommunications. Cable and Wireless provide cable, telex, bureaufax, leased circuit facilities, international data base access service, and in conjunction with the Bermuda Telephone Company Limited, the overseas telephone service with computerized direct distance dishing to most countries.

Bermuda's three banks are connected to the worldwide telecommunication network operated by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication.

Many of the major airlines offer flights to and from the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, which are convenient for both business travelers and tourists. The islands are also a port of call for many international shipping lines.