Government of Falkland Islands
Long Conventional Name
None
Short Conventional Name
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Long Local Name
Short Local Name
Government Type
Capital City
West Falkland
Administrative Divisions
None (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Independence Day
Monday, 8th January 2007
Constitutional History
3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998
Legal System
English common law
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive Branch
Chief of State
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
Head of Government
Governor Alan HUCKLE (since 25 August 2006)
Cabinet
Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor.
Elections
None; the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch.
Legislative Branch
Unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats; 2 members are ex officio and 8 are elected by popular vote; to serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor.
Judical Branch
Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction.
Flag Description
Blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT.
