Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands

Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands
The Office of the Legislative Assembly (Gilbert House)
Type
Type	Unicameral
Term limits	4 years
History
Founded	1 January 2009 (2009-01-01)
Preceded by	Legislative Council of the Falkland Islands
Leadership
Speaker	Keith Biles (Non-affiliated)
Structure
Seats	11 (8 elected, 2 ex officio members, 1 speaker)
Political groups	Nonpartisan: 11 seats
Elections
Voting system	Block voting
Last election	7 November 2013
Next election	2018 or earlier
Meeting place
Stanley Town Hall, Stanley, Falkland Islands
Website
http://www.fig.gov.fk/assembly/

The Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands is the unicameral legislature of the British Overseas Territory of the Falkland Islands. The Legislative Assembly replaced the Legislative Council (which had existed since 1845) when the new Constitution of the Falklands came into force in 2009 and laid out the composition, powers and procedures of the islands' legislature.

The Legislative Assembly consists of eight elected members, two ex officio members (the Chief Executive and the Director of Finance), and the Speaker. Although they take part in proceedings, the ex officio members do not have the right to vote in the Legislative Assembly. The Commander British Forces and the Attorney General also have the right to take part in the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly, though again they may not vote.

Meetings of the Legislative Assembly are normally held in the Court and Assembly Chamber in Stanley Town Hall and begin at a time appointed by the Governor. The constitution states there must be at least one meeting of the Legislative Assembly every year, although the Assembly normally meets every two to three months. Meetings of the Legislative Assembly are broadcast live on the local radio station, the Falkland Islands Radio Service.

The Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) have office facilities at Gilbert House, Stanley.