This page contains links to the legislation applied to, and made by the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands from 1908 onwards.This may not comprise of all the applicable legislation and cannot be relied upon as an authoritative source for GSGSSI law. Anyone having a specific query about the law as it applies to GSGSSI should contact GSGSSI or seek their own independent legal advice.
Laws and Legislation
South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands are a self governing Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom. Laws for South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands are made by the Commissioner for the Territory who can make ‘Ordinances’, which are primary legislation, and can make secondary legislation ‘Orders and Regulations’.
The authority for the Commissioner to make laws is set out in the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Order 1985 (available under the '1980-1989' tab) made under the British Settlements Act 1887.
From 1908 until 1985 South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands were dependencies of the Falkland Islands. During this time the laws for South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands were made by the Governor of the Falkland Islands in Council. Not all of this local legislation is available on this website but work is in progress to provide links to it in the near future.
The United Kingdom government also makes laws that are directly applied to South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands. These laws generally relate to matters of international relations. They can be found on the United Kingdom’s legislation website.
In relation to matters that are not covered by local legislation or directly applied legislation then in accordance with the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance 1977, the law in force in England on 22nd May 1900 is in force in South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands “in so far as the circumstances permit and provided they are not inconsistent with or repugnant to any Ordinance or Order in Council”.
The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands has embarked on a review of its existing legislation and intends to introduce new legislation on key areas over the next few years.
.
Legislation 2015-Onwards
2018
Gazette No 1 (5th March 2018)
- Notices 1-4
Notice 1: Appointment of Judge of the Supreme Court
Notice 2: Appointment of Fisheries Protection Officers
Notice 3: Appointment of Chief of Police
Notice 4: Appointment of Police Officers
- Appropriation (2018) Ordinance 2018
Complete: Gazette No 1 (5th March 2018) [pdf, 0.4mb]
2017
Gazette No 1 (1st March 2017)
- Notices 1-5 [pdf, 0.1mb]
Notice 1: Appointment of Collector of Customs
Notice 2: Appointment of Customs Officers
Notice 3: Fees payable under the Customs (Declaration and Clearance) Order 2016
Notice 4: Exemptions under the Customs (Declaration and Clearance) Order 2016
Notice 5: Appointment of Collector of Taxes
- Commemorative Coins Order 2017 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Appropriation (2017) Ordinance 2017 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Police Ordinance 2017 [pdf, 0.1mb]
Complete: Gazette No 1 (1st March 2017) [pdf, 0.2mb]
Guide to the Police Ordinance [pdf, 0.1mb]
Gazette No 2 (18th April 2017)
- Notices 6-9
Notice 6: Appointment of Attorney General
Notice 7: Designation of places to be used as police stations
Notice 8: Appointment of Police Officers and Reserve Police Officers
Notice 9: Appointment of Chief of Police
Gazette No 3 (21st December 2017)
- Notices 10-16
Notice 10: Appointment of Fisheries Protection Officers
Notice 11: Public Holidays 2018
Notice 12: Appointment of Fisheries Protection Officer
Notice 13: Appointment of Acting Attorney General and Acting Coroner
Notice 14: Appointment of Attorney General
Notice 15: Appointment of Acting Coroner
Notice 16: Appointment of Acting Registrar General
2016
Gazette No 1 (24th March 2016)
- No 1 Appropriation Ordinance 2016 [pdf, 0.1mb]
Complete: Gazette No 1 (24th March 2016) [pdf, 0.2mb]
Gazette No 2 (26th May 2016)
Complete: Gazette No 2 (26th May 2016) [pdf, 0.3mb]
Gazette No 3 (19th December 2016)
- Commemorative Coins (2017) Order 2016 [pdf, 0.2mb]
Complete: Gazette No 3 (19th December 2016) [pdf, 0.3mb]
Gazette No 4 (22th December 2016)
- Customs Ordinance 2016 [pdf, 0.4mb]
- Income Tax Ordinance 2016 [pdf, 0.5mb]
- Income Tax Regulations 2016 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Customs (Declarations and Clearance) Order 2016 [pdf, 0.1mb]
Complete: Gazette No 4 (22th December 2016) [pdf, 0.3mb]
Guides to the Income Tax and Customs Ordinance.
Guide to the Income Tax Ordinance [pdf, 0.1mb]
Guide to the Customs Ordinance [pdf, 0.1mb]
These guides sets out in clear English what the Ordinance says. It is not a statement of law but it can help you to understand what the law of SGSSI is on this subject.
2015
Gazette No 1 (14th April 2015)
Notice 1: Appointment of Senior Magistrate
Notice 2: Appointment of Immigration Officers
Notice 3: Appointment of Immigration Officer
Complete: Gazette No 1 (14th April 2015) [pdf, 0.1mb]
Gazette No 2 (14th May 2015)
Notice 4: Public Holidays 2016
Notice 5: Appointment of Fisheries Protection Officer
- Supplementary Appropriation (2014) Ordinance 2015 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Appropriation (2015) Ordinance 2015 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Postal Services (Amendment) Ordinance 2015 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Commemorative Coins (2014) Order 2015 [pdf, 0.1mb]
Complete: Gazette No 2 (14th May 2015) [pdf, 0.1mb]
Gazette No 3 (18th June 2015)
Notice 6: Notification of income tax assessments
Complete: Gazette No 3 (18th June 2015) [pdf, 0.07mb]
Gazette No 4 (24th September 2015)
Notice 7: Appointment of Director of Fisheries
Notice 8: Appointment of Fisheries Protection Officer
Notice 9: United Kingdom Statutory Instruments
- Antarctic Act 1994 (Overseas Territories)(Amendment) Order 2015 ( Commencement of Schedule) Order 2015 [pdf, 0.1mb]
Complete: Gazette No 4 (24th September 2015) [pdf, 0.1mb]
Gazette No 5 (22th December 2015)
Notice 10: United Kingdom Statutory Instruments
- Supplementary Appropriation (2015) Ordinance 2015 [pdf, 0.1mb]
Complete: Gazette No 5 (22th December 2015) [pdf, 0.4mb]
Legislation 2010-2014
2014
Gazette No 1 (25th July 2014)
Notice 1: United Kingdom Statutory Instruments
Notice 2: Appointment of Attorney General
Notice 3: Public Holidays 2015
Notice 4: Notification of amount of passenger landing fee
Notice 5: Appointment of Fisheries Protection Officers
Notice 6: Appointment of Acting Registrar General
Notice 7: Appointment of Senior Magistrate
- Supplementary Appropriation (2013) Ordinance 2014 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Appropriation (2014) Ordinance 2014 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Commemorative Coins Order 2014 [pdf, 0.1mb]
Complete: Gazette No 1 (25th July 2014) [pdf, 0.2mb]
Gazette No 2 (9 September 2014)
- Nuclear Safeguards Ordinance 2014 [pdf, 0.1mb]
Complete: Gazette No 2 (9 September 2014) [pdf, 0.1mb]
2013
Gazette No 1 (7th May 2013)
- Criminal Justice Ordinance 2013 [pdf, 0.1mb]
Complete: Gazette No 1 (7th May 2013) [pdf, 0.1mb]
Gazette No 2 (13th June 2013)
Notice 1: United Kingdom Statutory Instruments
Notice 2: Appointment of Registrar General
Notice 3: Enrolment of Police Officer
Notice 4: Enrolment of Police Officer
Notice 5: Public Holidays 2013
Notice 6: Public Holidays 2014
Notice 7: Notification of amount of passenger landing fee
Notice 8: Notification of fee for permits granted
Notice 9: Appointment of Fisheries Protection Officers
Notice 10: Appointment of Financial Secretary
- Supplementary Appropriation (2012) Ordinance 2013 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Appropriation (2013) Ordinance 2013 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Wildlife and Protected Areas (Amendment) Ordinance 2013 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Postal Services (Amendment) Ordinance 2013 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Marine Protected Areas Order 2013 [pdf, 1.5mb]
- Prohibited Areas Order 2013 [pdf, 0.9mb]
- Commemorative Coins (2011-2012) Order 2013 [pdf, 0.1mb]
Complete: Gazette No 2 (13th June 2013) [pdf, 3.1mb]
2012
Gazette No 1 (29th February 2012)
Notice 1: United Kingdom Statutory Instruments
Notice 2: Appointment of Senior Magistrate
Notice 3: United Kingdom Statutory Instruments
Notice 4: Appointment of Registrar General
Notice 5: Appointment of Acting Financial Secretary
- SGSSI Marine Protected Areas Order 2012 [pdf, 0.4mb]
Complete: Gazette No 1 (29th February 2012) [pdf, 0.5mb]
Gazette No 2 (4th December 2012)
Notice 6: Public Holidays 2012
Notice 7: Public Holidays 2013
Notice 8: Notification of income tax assessments
Notice 9: United Kingdom Statutory Instruments
- SGSSI Supplementary Appropriation (2011) Ordinance 2012 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- SGSSI Appropriation (2012) Ordinance 2012 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Appeals (Jurisdiction of Falkland Islands Court of Appeal) Ordinance 2012 [pdf, 0.1mb]
Complete: Gazette No 2 (4th December 2012) [pdf, 0.2mb]
2011
Gazette No 1 (9th September 2011)
Notice 1: Appointment of Attorney General
Notice 2: Appointment of Acting Attorney General
Notice 3: United Kingdom Statutory Instruments
Notice 4: Appointment of Fisheries Protection Officers
Notice 5: Notification of income tax assessments
Notice 6: United Kingdom Statutory Instruments
Notice 7: Notification of amount of passenger landing fee
- Wildlife and Protected Areas Ordinance 2011-1 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Appropriation (2011) Ordinance 2011 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Appropriation (1998-2010) Ordinance 2011 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Postal Services Ordinance 2011 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Customs (Fees) Regulations 2011 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Harbour(Fees) Regulations 2011 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Commemorative Coins (2007-2011) Order 2011 [pdf, 0.1mb]
- Harbour Fees (Amendment) Regulations 2011 [pdf, 0.1mb]
Complete: Gazette No 1 (9th September 2011) [pdf, 0.4mb]
2010
Gazette No 1 (24 September 2010)
Notice 1: Notification of income tax assessments
Notice 2: Notification of amount of passenger landing fee
Complete: Gazette No 1 (24 September 2010)
Legislation 2005-2009
2007
2006
2005
Legislation 2000-2004
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
Legislation 1995-1999
1998
1997
1996
(*numbering error – these were the only Ordinances made in 1995 & 1996)
1995
(* numbering error – these were the only Ordinances made in 1995 & 1996)
Legislation 1990-1994
1994
1993
*1 - This Ordinance has been repealed and replaced by the Fisheries (Conservation & Management) Ordinance 2000.
*2 - This Commencement Notice is now spent.
1992
1990
Legislation 1980-1989
1989
1985
1981
1980
Legislation 1970-1979
1979
1978
1977
1975
1974
1973
1972
1971
1970
Legislation 1960-1969
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
Legislation 1951-1959
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1958
1959
Ordinances Applied to South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands While It Was a Dependency of the Falkland Islands Between 1908 and 1950
- Ordinances - 1 [pdf, 6.4mb]
- Ordinances - 2 [pdf, 11.3mb]
- Ordinances - 3 [pdf, 12.7mb]
- Ordinances - 4 [pdf, 10.2mb]
- Ordinances - 5 [pdf, 8.8mb]
- Ordinances - 6 [pdf, 10.9mb]
- Ordinances - 7 [pdf, 5.0mb]
- Ordinances - 8 [pdf, 6.6mb]
- Ordinances - 9 [pdf, 2.0mb]
(Scans taken from the "The Laws of the Colony of The Falkland Islands and its Dependencies").