Law in Africa

The law in Africa is a diverse mix of common law, civil law and religious law systems.

History

Law in Africa has been shaped primarily through different countries inheritance of laws which existed in Europe through the nineteenth century. For instance, the primary sources of South Africa legislation were Roman-Dutch and English Common law, imports of Dutch settlements and British colonialism. Thus it is sometimes termed Anglo-Dutch law. Various lawmaking bodies have existed within South Africa over time. Yet in fact, some of the oldest legal systems began first in Africa. For instance, Ancient Egyptian law used a civil code, based on the concept of Ma'at. Tradition, rhetorical speech, social equality and impartiality were key principles. [http://www.cap-press.com/authors/217] [Russ VerSteeg, "Law in Ancient Egypt" (2002) ISBN 0-89089-978-9] Judges kept records, which was used as precedent, although the systems developed slowly.

International law

*African Unionalicia was here

Law by countries

*Law of Nigeria
*Law of South Africa

ee also

*Legal systems of the world

References