Editing Politics of Belize (section)

==Judicial branch==
Members of the independent judiciary are appointed. The judicial system includes local magistrates grouped under the Magistrates' Court which hears less serious cases, the [[Supreme Court of Belize|Supreme Court]] (chief justice) which hears murder and similarly serious cases, and the Court of Appeal, which hears appeals from convicted individuals seeking to have their sentences overturned. Cases may under certain circumstances be appealed to the [[Privy Council]] in London.

In 2001 Belize joined with most members of CARICOM to campaign for the establishment of the [[Caribbean Court of Justice]]. Belize is divided into six districts: [[Corozal District]], [[Orange Walk District]], [[Belize District]], [[Cayo District]], [[Stann Creek District]], and [[Toledo District]]. Court cases are also heard in the capital city of Belmopan. The Supreme Court holds hearings from January to December of each year, starting in Belize City and then going to the districts; Magistrates' Court hears cases on most weekdays.

[[Michelle Arana]] has served as the acting [[Chief Justice of Belize|chief justice]] of the Supreme Court since the retirement of [[Kenneth Benjamin (judge)|Kenneth Benjamin]] on 20 March 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 March 2020|title=CJ Kenneth Benjamin Retires; Who Takes Up the Post?|url=https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/200271|access-date=2020-10-11|website=[[Great Belize Television]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

A special Family Court has been set up to hear cases regarding child maintenance, domestic violence, and spousal abuse, and other similar cases. This court is located in downtown Belize City. A Quick Trial Court processes selected cases especially speedily.