Does Belize believe in property rights and the rule of law, or is Belize more corrupt?
Kate Corrigan - Caye International Bank
I do believe that Belize believes in property rights. If you hold the title in your name for a piece of property, you have rights to it. You can stay and live on it or do what you want to do and you absolutely have rights to it.
One of the wonderful things about Belize is that it is governed by British law. British law, with Canadian politics, and it is just great. The financial system is British, too, which I love. The laws that they have here are very...
I do believe that Belize believes in property rights. If you hold the title in your name for a piece of property, you have rights to it. You can stay and live on it or do what you want to do and you absolutely have rights to it.
One of the wonderful things about Belize is that it is governed by British law. British law, with Canadian politics, and it is just great. The financial system is British, too, which I love. The laws that they have here are very clear-cut. It is so easy to understand. Everything is in English, including all documentation. As a result, you can read it and you can take it to your attorney and they can read it and they can understand it, too. It is not very complicated.
Under the British law we have here in Belize, if you take somebody to court and you lose, you pay for all of their expenses as well as their court costs. As a result, people just don’t do sue here in Belize as much. If you sold somebody some lumber, they have that lumber, and then they had business problems so they had to close the project and never paid you, you can take them to court and it will be seen in court. Then the judge would say to the person you’re suing, “What can you afford?” Let us say he can afford a dollar a week. Well, a dollar a week is not very helpful.
Posted December 1, 2014
Christian Burn
Belize respects the rule of law but property rights are difficult because even squatters have rights. For the most part, title to property is pretty straightforward in the sense that there is title insurance. I would only buy something with a clear title myself. Belize is a safe haven for investment, most definitely. Of course it is “buyer beware” anywhere, but if you do your due diligence and request clear title, you will be fine; no doubt about it.
If you...
If you...
Belize respects the rule of law but property rights are difficult because even squatters have rights. For the most part, title to property is pretty straightforward in the sense that there is title insurance. I would only buy something with a clear title myself. Belize is a safe haven for investment, most definitely. Of course it is “buyer beware” anywhere, but if you do your due diligence and request clear title, you will be fine; no doubt about it.
If you have a contract in Belize and there is a dispute, you can count on the Belizean judicial system to be fair, but you cannot expect the process to be speedy, just as it is not speedy in other places, either. The justice system of Belize is based on the British system so I have confidence that it is fair.
In regard to property rights, the government of Belize will not just take your property and nationalize it like what happens in some South American nations. Belize is a safe investment. I personally made the investment myself, so I can say that it is a good place to invest.
If you have a contract in Belize and there is a dispute, you can count on the Belizean judicial system to be fair, but you cannot expect the process to be speedy, just as it is not speedy in other places, either. The justice system of Belize is based on the British system so I have confidence that it is fair.
In regard to property rights, the government of Belize will not just take your property and nationalize it like what happens in some South American nations. Belize is a safe investment. I personally made the investment myself, so I can say that it is a good place to invest.
Posted December 2, 2014
Phil Hahn - Carmelita Gardens
When people ask me if there is corruption in Belize my rejoinder is, “What is your standard?” It doesn’t seem to matter where you are from, politicians and those with authority do wacky things and Belize is no different.However, property rights are sacred in Belize. It is a tradition established by the British and ingrained in the Constitution of Belize. It is first mentioned in the Preamble, “WHEREAS the people of Belize . . . require policies of state...
When people ask me if there is corruption in Belize my rejoinder is, “What is your standard?” It doesn’t seem to matter where you are from, politicians and those with authority do wacky things and Belize is no different.However, property rights are sacred in Belize. It is a tradition established by the British and ingrained in the Constitution of Belize. It is first mentioned in the Preamble, “WHEREAS the people of Belize . . . require policies of state which protect . . . the rights of the individual to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; which preserve the right of the individual to the ownership of private property and the right to operate private businesses . . .” Private Property is addressed again in Part II: Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, “Whereas every person in Belize is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the . . . protection for his family life, his personal privacy, the privacy of his home and other property . . . “
Belizeans take the right to property ownership and privacy very seriously, which makes it one of the best places in the world to own property.
Just as private property rights are enumerated in the Constitution of Belize, so is the Rule of Law, “WHEREAS the people of Belize . . . recognise that men and institutions remain free only when freedom is founded upon respect for moral and spiritual values and upon the rule of law;”
(The first home built by Carmelita Residences, a ruralist community on the Belize River, Belize, pictured.)
Posted March 27, 2016
Virginia Krohn - Villa Cayo Belize
Belize has its corruption just like any other country but the law of Belize is based on English law. If you decide to purchase land it is fee simple just like in the states and you still need to use a surveyor and a lawyer. The old joke about investing here is, “If you want to be a millionaire in Belize, you better bring $2 million because you are going to lose half of it.” While that is true it is only because people are not realistic...
Belize has its corruption just like any other country but the law of Belize is based on English law. If you decide to purchase land it is fee simple just like in the states and you still need to use a surveyor and a lawyer. The old joke about investing here is, “If you want to be a millionaire in Belize, you better bring $2 million because you are going to lose half of it.” While that is true it is only because people are not realistic about their goals for making money in Belize.
You can make money in Belize, but it takes the same business skills as it does in any other country and maybe a little more. This is not the gold rush and more than likely you are not going to strike it rich but you can make a nice living if you find the right niche and meet the needs of the people.
(The Belizean scales of justice based on British Commmon law with the pans as hammocks as depicted by Jet Metier for the Best Places in the World to Retire upcoming ebook on Belize, pictured.)
Posted July 18, 2016
Mark Leonard
Lawyers are not required to prepare contracts and research title.
Lawyers are not required to prepare contracts and research title.
Posted August 8, 2016