The Combined Court was established by the Dutch authorities at a time when the colonies of
Berbice,
Demerara and
Essequibo were under the control of the Netherlands. It originally consisted of a joint sitting of the Court of Policy and the
College of Kiezers. However, Lieutenant Governor of Demerara
Hugh Lyle Carmichael abolished the College of Kiezers in 1812, giving its duties to the Financial Representatives. The Court of Policy was part-appointed and part-elected by the re-established College of Kiezers, whilst the Financial Representatives were elected by the public, although using a severely limited franchise. Its responsibilities included raising and spending public revenue, and from 1855 onwards, setting the salaries of civil servants. Following the 1891 constitutional reforms, the Combined Court consisted had 22 members, six of which were the Financial Representatives now elected by the public in the single member constituencies of Demerara, Essequebo North Western, Essequebo South Eastern, Berbice,
Georgetown and
New Amsterdam, Demerara East, Demerara West, Essequebo North Western, Essequebo South Eastern, Berbice, City of Georgetown (2 members) and New Amsterdam. The franchise was severely limited. By the 1926 elections only 4.2% of the population were eligible to vote, up from 1.08% in 1921. Elections were held under this system in
1892,
1897,
1901,
1906,
1911,
1916,
1921 and
1926. The Combined Court was abolished in 1928 when a new constitution replaced it with the
Legislative Council. ==References==