Executive Council (Commonwealth countries)

An Executive Council in Commonwealth constitutional practice based on the Westminster system is a constitutional organ which exercises executive power and (notionally) advises the governor or governor-general. Executive Councils often make decisions via Orders in Council.

Executive Councillors are informally called "ministers". Some Executive Councils, especially in Canada and Australia, are chaired by a President or a Vice-President. In other Commonwealth countries there is no formal president of the Executive Council, although meetings are held in the presence of the Governor-General, Governor or President (except in rare cases) and decisions require his or her assent.

These Councils have almost the same functions as the privy council in the United Kingdom and Canada, and accordingly, decisions of the cabinet gain legal effect by being formally adopted by the Executive Council, if the cabinet itself is not also the Executive Council.

Current executive councils

Former executive councils

Former Commonwealth executive councils

  • : Executive Council of Hong Kong (1841 – 1997) The body held executive authority in Hong Kong. The council continues to function from 1997 to the present, however, Hong Kong ceased to be a member of the Commonwealth in 1997.

Other Executive Councils

See also

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