Jurisdiction

(1) Notwithstanding any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary the jurisdiction and powers of the courts of Belize extend to the maritime areas of Belize for the purpose of– (a) this Act or any Regulation made thereunder; and (b) any enactment which applies or is applied pursuant to section 23 to maritime areas of Belize, or any part thereof. 17 (2) For the purposes of the exercise of any jurisdiction and powers pursuant to sub-section (1), a court is a court of competent jurisdiction– (a) for the purpose of any criminal proceedings, if it would have cognisance of the offence concerned if it had been committed within the limits of its ordinary criminal jurisdiction; and (b) for the purposes of any proceedings, other than criminal proceedings, if it would have jurisdiction if the act, omission or other matter giving rise to the proceedings had occurred or arisen within the limits of its ordinary (3) The Minister, after consultation with the Attorney- General, may make rules for carrying out or giving effect to this section. (4) The jurisdiction and powers conferred by this section are in addition to and not in derogation of any other jurisdiction or powers exercisable by a court of Belize.