The Court of Policy was established in 1732 by the Dutch authorities,[1] at a time when the colonies of Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo were under the control of the Netherlands.

When the British took over the colony in 1803, they continued to use the Dutch administrative bodies including the Court of Policy.

However, Lieutenant Governor of Demerara Hugh Lyle Carmichael abolished the College of Kiezers in 1812, giving its duties to the Financial Representatives,[2] who were elected by the public, although with a severely limited franchise.

[5] The Court of Policy was abolished in 1928 when a new constitution created the Legislative Council;[6] its final meeting was on 17 July 1928.

[7] The building, along with the Fort Zeelandia, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tentative List on 15 November 1995 in the Cultural category.