The High Court consists of Civil, Criminal, and Family branches.

The Supreme Court is located in a five-storey reinforced concrete structure of 183,000 square feet (17,000 m2) which includes both civil and criminal courts, together with office accommodation and facilities for judges, juries, attorneys, prisoners, and the public, as well as the Registry and Records offices.

It replaced the London-based Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) in 2003, upon the passage of both the Caribbean Court of Justice Act and the Constitution (Amendment) Act by the Parliament of Barbados.

These acts were brought into force by Proclamation on April 8, 2005; allowing the CCJ to supersede the Privy Council as the court of final Appellate Jurisdiction.

The CCJ is also entrusted with the power to resolve disputes dealing with the Caribbean (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME).