The politics of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha operate under the jurisdiction of the government of the United Kingdom.
[1] The three parts of the territory—Saint Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha—effectively form an asymmetric federacy and collectively constitute one of United Kingdom's fourteen overseas territories.
In September 1922, Ascension Island became a dependency of Saint Helena, followed by Tristan da Cunha in January 1938.
While there are no locally operated TV stations anywhere in the territory, overseas programming is broadcast via satellite in St. Helena.
Criminal matters are investigated by the Saint Helena Police Service and prosecuted at court by the Crown Prosecutor.
[23] Although there are no private practice lawyers on Saint Helena, there is a Public Solicitor (the office was established on January 2, 1998) that is supported by legally-trained lay advocates.