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Comparison

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Because every portal follows the same fifteen-section outline, the comparison is genuinely like-for-like rather than a collage of whatever each government happens to publish.

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Comparison of selected legal systems
AttributeMalawiReviewedCyprusReviewedSpainReviewed
Legal familyEnglish common law with customary lawMixed common law and civil lawCivil law
System of governmentPresidential republicUnitary presidential republicUnitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
ConstitutionConstitution of the Republic of MalawiConstitution of the Republic of CyprusSpanish Constitution
In force since199419601978
CapitalLilongweNicosiaMadrid
Official languagesEnglish, ChichewaGreek, TurkishSpanish
CurrencyMalawian kwacha (MWK)Euro (EUR)Euro (EUR)
Population20,900,0001,260,00048,400,000
Division of powersUnitary with three regions and 28 districts administered by local councils. Traditional authorities exercise recognised functions over customary land and local dispute resolution.Unitary, with districts administered centrally and elected municipalities. In practice the government exercises effective control over roughly the southern two-thirds of the island; the north has been separately administered since 1974 under an entity recognised only by Turkey, and the application of the EU acquis is suspended there under Protocol 10 to the Accession Treaty. The atlas describes the law of the Republic and notes where it is not effectively applied.A constitutional monarchy with the King as head of state, an executive led by the President of the Government, a bicameral parliament and an independent judiciary, overlaid by extensive regional self-government.
How law is madeBills pass three readings in the National Assembly with committee scrutiny and are presented for presidential assent, which must be given or withheld within 21 days. Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority, and amendments affecting entrenched provisions additionally require a referendum.Bills are introduced by ministers or members and passed by the House of Representatives. The President may return a law for reconsideration or refer it to the Supreme Court for a constitutionality ruling before promulgation; if the Court finds no conflict, promulgation follows. Laws enter into force on publication in the Official Gazette unless otherwise provided, and EU obligations are frequently implemented by harmonising statute and regulation.Bills pass both chambers of the Cortes Generales, with the Congress of Deputies able to override the Senate, and receive royal assent.
Legal professionA fused profession of legal practitioners admitted by the High Court after a law degree, regulated by the Malawi Law Society under the Legal Education and Legal Practitioners Act.A fused profession of advocates admitted under the Advocates Law after a law degree, the Legal Council examinations and a twelve-month pupillage, with compulsory membership of the Cyprus Bar Association. Many practitioners qualify in the United Kingdom or Greece, and English-language practice is standard in commercial work. Advocates hold a monopoly on court representation and on certifying company documents, and the profession is unusually large per head of population because of the international corporate and trusts business.Abogados belong to local bar associations (colegios de abogados); procuradores represent parties procedurally and notaries authenticate deeds and company acts.

A comparison table flattens nuance by design. Where a difference matters to a decision you are making, open both portals and read the section in full — the constitutional detail behind a one-line summary is often the part that governs the outcome.